Tour Ideas?

Sam McLandress · Dec 17, 2014

Hey guys,

Seriously looking to find some snow somewhere, as well as someone to find it with. Anyone have any good suggestions according to current conditions?? Mike's shots from the Burke area looked like it wasn't too bad...

b0ardski · Dec 22, 2014

I've been looking at Grouse mountain for the last ten winters on my drive home. drooling on some sunny post storm days. Been doing some google earth scouting and I think some epic day tours are a 20 minute drive away for me.
Still pretty low snow approaches right now.

PowderPanda · Dec 23, 2014

Sam and bOardski…
Both should be good this weekend. Burke Summit may be a bit iffy with the avy warning though. Everything from the summit NW drops into sliceable chutes. West Grouse PK to the SE is fun.. pretty mellow, but fun. I take my GF up there and ride as it is very conducive to all abilities.
That said, both require a bit of a climb. Fastest way up Grouse is by sled from Burke.. If no sled.. it is a long snowmobile road up to the saddle. As for Burke Summit, same deal.. long sled road (about 4-5 miles) then up the ridge.
No sled.. bring some beer or maybe gas and ask a sledder to give ya a lift up. I really don't think it would take that long to convince someone to help ya out!!

b0ardski · Dec 23, 2014

Thanks for the beta Larry, I think I can get my old (78 pantera) articat running well enough for a logging road. Maybe we can arrange a day next month you can play guide to show me the best way up Grouse. pretty flexible Tue-Sat throughout the winter, Sun- Mon's we'll be at 49N

idsnowghost · Dec 23, 2014

I think you guys may be talking about two different Grouse Mountain's.
(Grouse Mt near Sandpoint, vs Grouse Pk near Wallace)

b0ardski · Dec 23, 2014

yeah your right Mike, the Grouse Mountain I'm referring to is on the N. side of Grouse Creek Rd. I look at it every day driving upper gold creek rd.

Sam McLandress · Dec 24, 2014

Thanks for the ideas! Do any of you guys know what the Stevens Peak area is looking like right now as far as avy conditions? Many weak layers in the Schweitzer area snowpack right now...

PowderPanda · Dec 24, 2014

Mike said:
I think you guys may be talking about two different Grouse Mountain's.
(Grouse Mt near Sandpoint, vs Grouse Pk near Wallace)

Hahahaa… oops.. Thanks for paying attention Mike!

PowderPanda · Dec 24, 2014

Sam McLandress said:
Thanks for the ideas! Do any of you guys know what the Stevens Peak area is looking like right now as far as avy conditions? Many weak layers in the Schweitzer area snowpack right now...

Sam, I'd stay clear of Stevens Pk proper for a bit. There are peaks near it they may be good, West/East Willow Pk, stay off any of the big slopes unless you do the due diligence of checking the pack and the area you plan to ride.
I'd say wind slabs are a definite possibility out there.

http://www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org/st-regis-basin--silver-valley

Stay safe!

Sam McLandress · Dec 25, 2014

Yes, that's what I figured. I'll look into Willow peak, I haven't heard much about it! Do you know of a resource that does daily avalanche forecasts for the area?

PowderPanda · Dec 25, 2014

Sam McLandress said:
Yes, that's what I figured. I'll look into Willow peak, I haven't heard much about it! Do you know of a resource that does daily avalanche forecasts for the area?

Sam, looks like a few peeps are wanting to tour Willow West on Sunday, thread is right on here.

As for daily.. No, alas that is the crappy part about our area and a big resource of this site as people get out, they report things they see, which in turn creates a network from the backcountry users.
Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center (IPAC) is only funded to get one forecast out a week. They also rely on funding from donations. hint ;-) We hope to assist them with donations in the future through events. But until then, it's one a week then we need to do our due diligence when we go out.

http://www.idahopanhandleavalanche.org/st-regis-basin--silver-valley

Merry Christmas Sam!!