Winter Activities Schedule 2011-2012
Most trips require signups. Please signup at least 2 days before the trip.
I-MAC has XC ski gears (skis, boots, and poles) available for rent. Check it out here.
December
7 - XC ski lecture, Richland library, 7 PMRon, 967-1471
17 - Beginner ski lesson, Horseshoe Prairie, XC-0
Jim, 943-3992
A XC ski lesson in the Blue Mtns. near Tollgate, OR.
31 - Horseshoe Prairie, XC-1Jim, 943-3992
An easy trip in the Blue Mtns. near Tollgate, OR. The plan is to go up to Horseshoe Prairie for a day of simple skiing. You know, tour the loop, enjoy the snow, work off some of those extra holiday calories. The pace will be easy with the idea of getting in some basic practice so if you know how to stand up on the skies, you can come. We will go as far as the group decides. So, come along! Lets get out of town for a little while.
January
1 - Badger Mountain hike, DH-1George M., 943-5324
A traditional hike up our own little mountain to start the New Year. Meet at the Skyline trailhead (off from Dallas Rd.) at 10:15 AM. No signup required. Here are the directions to the Skyline trailhead.
7 - Horseshoe Prairie, SS-1/2Jane, 380-0287
This is a popular trip in the Blue Mtns. south of Tollgate, OR and will be about 4-5 miles long. The terrain is generally flat with some gentle hills. Snowshoes can be rented locally at Kennewick REI and maybe at Sporthaus Northwest in Kennewick. As always, bring the Ten Essentials, lunch, water (at least 2 liters), and be prepared for blizzards and rainy conditions (that is, bring warm clothing and rain gear). Please NO JEANS. A limit of 12 signups.
7-8 - Leavenworth, XC-1/2Skip, 509-888-3894
Two easy to moderate non-groomed trips near Leavenworth, WA. Stay overnight at Skip's place.
14 - Bumping Lake, SS-2George H., 943-5257
We will hike both through some woods where we will be protected from wind and sun to walking out along the shore and having lunch. In good weather the views to ridges and mountains surrounding the lake are great. You will need to bring protection for sun, wind snow or rain. If you have any questions please call.
15 - High Ridge Lookout, XC-2/3Paul, 586-8175
We will park at the Andies Prairie snopark, walk across the highway and then begin our ski. The lookout is located in the Blue Mountains in Oregon at an elevation of 5300 feet. We will ski up and over 2 ridges before we get to High Ridge. One of our objectives will be to find the Snotel site that is at the base of this ridge. If time permits we will also ski to the top of the ridge and then to the lookout. The total mileage will be around 10 miles. Those signing up should be at least intermediate skiers and capable of skiing variable terrain with rolling hills. Bring lunch, snacks and fluids, as well as clothing for the possible changing weather conditions.
21-22 - Gold Hill Cabin, XC-1/2, SS-1/2Jim, 943-3992
The first of three overnight trips to a cabin east of Chinook Pass. The Gold Hill cabin is two miles and 800 feet of rise from the Chinook Pass Highway not far from the pass. We will drive up the Chinook Pass highway as far as the road is plowed, then we ski or snowshoe the two miles up an unplowed Forest Service road to get to the cabin. Above it is a valley full of enjoyable snowshoeing, ski touring or ski mountaineering. These tours can be taken Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, including trips to the crest for views of Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Mount Rainier, and the Crystal Mountain Ski Area.
28 - Blewett Pass, XC-2Steve, 375-0161
This is a moderate trip on Forest Service roads west of Blewet Pass with possible telemark opportunities next to our path depending on snow conditions. There are nice views of surrounding mountains along the way. We will start at the snow park near Blewet pass for an out and back trip. Bring lunch, water, and appropriate layers for a full day of skiing.
February
4 - Andies Prairie sliding, FFFGeorge H., 943-5257
Let’s go join all the people we see sliding at Andies Prairie. It is a small hill and maybe just a start. But if the snow falls it looks like a fun place to go to try out something new. We will eat lunch there on the slope or in or by the cars. Make sure to have ski gogles or sun glasses, good warm boots and clothing for rolling in the snow. Any questions give a call.
11 - Spout Springs, SS-2Chuck, 783-3246
We park at the Woodland Sno-park about 2 miles southeast of the Spout Springs downhill ski area. The walk starts in the woods along the Balloon Tree logging road then cuts cross country to a long, open north/south ridge. Views from here, on a clear day, are great. Mt. Emily and the Elkhorn Crest Mts. to the south, the Eagle Caps, and Seven Devil’s Wilderness to the east, a Blue Mt. panorama from Bluewood to Pomeroy to the north. Then we cut back through the woods to an open, east/west ridge above the Umatilla river valley. The finish is a fairly steep downhill to the road we started on. The route is about 5.2 miles with a gradual climb of about 670’. Snow and weather conditions can significantly affect the difficulty of this hike. Parts of the trail are quite open, so it can get nasty on a cold, windy day. Please bring adequate protection from sun, wind, cold, rain and snow. As always, bring the 10 Essentials, a lunch and plenty of fluids. A limit of 12 signups.
11 - Pedro Ridge, XC-3/4Paul, 586-8175
Pedro Ridge is located between 2 ridges that I-MAC regularly visits, Middle Ridge and 9-Mile Ridge. The area is south of Horseshoe Prairie. The terrain consists of rolling hills with a 400 foot drop to get to the ridge followed by a 400 foot climb. We did this route last year but did not make it to the ridge. There is a road that will bring us near the ridge. The ridge is about 2 miles long and once there we can ski as much of it as we like. Plan on the total mileage to be 12 miles or more. Bring lunch, snacks and fluids for a long day of skiing. Come prepared for a variety of weather and snow conditions.
11-12 - Gold Hill Cabin, XC-1/2, SS-1/2Jim, 943-3992
The second of three overnight trips to a cabin east of Chinook Pass. The Gold Hill cabin is two miles and 800 feet of rise from the Chinook Pass Highway not far from the pass. We will drive up the Chinook Pass highway as far as the road is plowed, then we ski or snowshoe the two miles up an unplowed Forest Service road to get to the cabin. Above it is a valley full of enjoyable snowshoeing, ski touring or ski mountaineering. These tours can be taken Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, including trips to the crest for views of Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Mount Rainier, and the Crystal Mountain Ski Area.
17-20 - Aneroid Lake, XC-4Ron, 967-1471
It has been the tradition of the I-MAC to ski into the Aneroid Lake area of the Eagle Cap Wilderness for many years in February. This area offers some of the best skiing within a 4-hour drive of the Tri-Cities. We will be leaving early on Friday morning to drive over and to ski almost 7 miles and 3000 feet up to Aneroid Lake. Our home will be in one or two very rustic cabins looking out over some of the most beautiful winter scenery if the weather cooperates. From the cabins, we will be doing day trips to the surrounding ridges and bowls to enjoy some of the vertical powder (if we are lucky). You must have good to excellent skiing skills and be in very good shape. It takes a minimum of 5 hours of hard skiing just to get in. Also, avalanche transceivers and snow shovels are required for everyone, no exceptions.
18 - PCT from White Pass to Sand Lakes, SS-2Jane, 380-0287
This is a moderate trip on the Pacific Crest Trail going north from White Pass. The hike is about 7 miles roundtrip with about 800 feet elevation gain. We will head to Deer and Sand Lakes, have lunch at Sand Lake, and head back to the cars the same way. Snowshoes can be rented locally at Kennewick REI and maybe at Sporthaus Northwest in Kennewick. As always, bring the Ten Essentials, lunch, water (at least 2 liters), and be prepared for blizzards and rainy conditions (that is, bring rain gear). Please NO JEANS. A limit of 12 signups.
18 - Horseshoe Prairie, XC-2Skip, 509-888-3894
We will either ski around the Horseshoe Prairie or ski up onto the ridge behind the Spout Springs Resort area. These areas are gentle rolling hills perfect for Nordic skiing. The trip will be about 6 miles long and will be mostly gentle going, some of it thru trees. Bring at least two liters of water, lunch or a snack. Get up - get out - ski with me.
25 - Middle Ridge, XC-2Jim, 943-3992
This is a popular trip for a good reason, there is more downhill then uphill. We leave one car at the Andies Prairie Snow Park (snow parking permit required) and a second one about 6 miles down the highway (no permit needed). We start skiing from the snow park and go to Horseshoe Prairie, and then turn left (south) following a ridge that loops back to the Middle Ridge. We will then ski along the top of Middle Ridge, which parallels the highway, until we return to our second car. The trip is 7 to 8 miles long and mostly gentle going, some of it through trees. There are ups and downs on this trip, don’t let me fool you into thinking it is all downhill! At the end you will need to know how to control your speed as we ski down a road. If the snow conditions are not good, this road can be icy and a little fast. Remember, you can take your skies off and walk this part, I have.
March
3-4 - Gold Hill Cabin, XC-1/2, SS-1/2Jim, 943-3992
The last of three overnight trips to a cabin east of Chinook Pass. The Gold Hill cabin is two miles and 800 feet of rise from the Chinook Pass Highway not far from the pass. We will drive up the Chinook Pass highway as far as the road is plowed, then we ski or snowshoe the two miles up an unplowed Forest Service road to get to the cabin. Above it is a valley full of enjoyable snowshoeing, ski touring or ski mountaineering. These tours can be taken Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, including trips to the crest for views of Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Mount Rainier, and the Crystal Mountain Ski Area.