Snoqualmie High Peaks
Figure 8 Lollipop
April 21-27, 2025
Trip Report
Figure 8 Lollipop
April 21-27, 2025
Trip Report
Looking north from Chikamin's summit ridge Tuesday April 22. Scott Rinckenberger photo
A geographic boundary for the Snoqualmie High Peaks (SHP) is not objectively defined but generally runs north of Snoqualmie Pass to Mt. Hinman. The central zone of the SHP, subjectively starting south with the Lemahs and ending north with Summit Chief, is the most jagged portion with steep vertical relief clearly defining the Cascade Crest. This central zone continues to injspire me.
One of the only civil views of this central zone is from the top of Alpental ski area where looking northeast one can see the snowy Overcoat Col sitting southeast of Overcoat Peak and northwest of the Lemah/Chimney massif. This view helps strengthen Alpental’s steep terrain vibe while catching stronger attention from a few adventure seekers who want to learn more.
Overcoat Col sits roughly in the middle of the SHP and provides a rare weakness in pointy terrain. I first skied through the Overcoat Col in 2002. Since that brief experience, this area has strengthened my respect as a micro range in the Cascades difficult to reach and grand in character. Not as rugged, but similar to, The Pickets in the North Cascades.
I have skied through the Overcoat Col a few times but always via the west side of the Lemahs. Their high eastern basin boasts phenomenal ski touring terrain with more difficult access points.
Scott Rinckenberger, a fellow Snoqualmie High Peaks fan, and I made plans last summer to spend a long week skiing through the SHP. Scott and I share a strong passion to tour local. While this concept is rooted in sustainability ethics, we also believe the objective nature of the SHP is ideal for aspirational backcountry adventures. We agreed that going along the east side of the Lemah/Chimney massif would be our primary plan and scheduled a 10-day window in late April. Planning sessions continued with each of us sharing our own desired ski lines and then prioritizing shared lines that best complemented our intended route. Some lines we deprioritized because they could be reached in a long day while others were too far off our primary route. Naturally, all descents would be dependent on favorable conditions.
One of the only civil views of this central zone is from the top of Alpental ski area where looking northeast one can see the snowy Overcoat Col sitting southeast of Overcoat Peak and northwest of the Lemah/Chimney massif. This view helps strengthen Alpental’s steep terrain vibe while catching stronger attention from a few adventure seekers who want to learn more.
Overcoat Col sits roughly in the middle of the SHP and provides a rare weakness in pointy terrain. I first skied through the Overcoat Col in 2002. Since that brief experience, this area has strengthened my respect as a micro range in the Cascades difficult to reach and grand in character. Not as rugged, but similar to, The Pickets in the North Cascades.
I have skied through the Overcoat Col a few times but always via the west side of the Lemahs. Their high eastern basin boasts phenomenal ski touring terrain with more difficult access points.
Scott Rinckenberger, a fellow Snoqualmie High Peaks fan, and I made plans last summer to spend a long week skiing through the SHP. Scott and I share a strong passion to tour local. While this concept is rooted in sustainability ethics, we also believe the objective nature of the SHP is ideal for aspirational backcountry adventures. We agreed that going along the east side of the Lemah/Chimney massif would be our primary plan and scheduled a 10-day window in late April. Planning sessions continued with each of us sharing our own desired ski lines and then prioritizing shared lines that best complemented our intended route. Some lines we deprioritized because they could be reached in a long day while others were too far off our primary route. Naturally, all descents would be dependent on favorable conditions.
Recon hike October 2024
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Planning session October 2024
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Our original launch date was Sunday April 20. As this date grew closer, the weather forecast trended toward a winter storm with a convergence zone targeting Snoqualmie Pass that Sunday night. The prior week was sunny with clear nights, and the crest was transitioning well into a spring snowpack. New snow, especially more than a few inches, would ruin this positive snowpack trend. We pushed our start date back and met on April 20 to discuss options. We knew that we were going to get more snow overnight than we wanted and it would negatively affect conditions, our ability to hit desired ski lines, and possibly even proceeding along our primary route. We were confident that going farther north in the Cascades with much less snow in the forecast would provide great corn skiing with less stability concern. We also briefly considered driving south (Sierras or Oregon Cascades) to enjoy a more stable snowpack. But our shared passion and respect for the Snoqualmie High Peaks had us sticking with the original plan. We would launch the next morning. Monday was forecast to stay cold with clouds and we decided to approach east of the crest where we expected less new snowfall. Tuesday through Thursday looked sunny with temps peaking Thursday. Friday looked like a transition day with precipitation coming in Friday night/Saturday.
Monday April 21 went well with a long wintery travel day to Glacier Lake. New snow was typically 4-6” at mid elevations with wind deposits deeper on E/SE slopes until we got to Glacier Lake (closer to the crest) where there was 10” of new snow. We didn’t love the increasing storm total but liked the continued settlement and strengthening bond observed with the old snow surface. We decided to move camp up to Chikamain Lake the next morning and let the storm snow settle another day before entering the Lemahs. We also liked the idea of day tripping up moderate slopes on the NE side of Chikamin to learn more about conditions in the high country and get a good look at our upcoming climb on Lemah 1.
Tuesday started sunny and cold. Ater dropping camp at Chikamin Lake, we toured up to the summit ridge of Chikamin finding some wind effect from the storm’s W/NW flow but no cracking or signs of instability. We also observed no natural loose avalanches from the sun on steeper slopes.
On the summit ridge, we hung out in comfortable conditions admiring the views down south into Gold Creek Valley and north into our planned route. Getting cell coverage on the ridge (the only place we did outside of our approach and exit days), we received updated weather forecasts that showed Friday trending sunny with less signs of precip over the weekend. Successful with intel, we dropped off the ridge and were delighted with smooth settled powder turns back down to Chikamin Lake.
Tuesday started sunny and cold. Ater dropping camp at Chikamin Lake, we toured up to the summit ridge of Chikamin finding some wind effect from the storm’s W/NW flow but no cracking or signs of instability. We also observed no natural loose avalanches from the sun on steeper slopes.
On the summit ridge, we hung out in comfortable conditions admiring the views down south into Gold Creek Valley and north into our planned route. Getting cell coverage on the ridge (the only place we did outside of our approach and exit days), we received updated weather forecasts that showed Friday trending sunny with less signs of precip over the weekend. Successful with intel, we dropped off the ridge and were delighted with smooth settled powder turns back down to Chikamin Lake.
Skiing north side of Chikamin Peak Tuesday April 22. Scott Rinckenberger photo
As the air temp started to warm that afternoon, clouds rolled in limiting solar impact on the new snow. Still a little surprised that the morning sun didn’t trigger loose avalanches on steeper slopes, we were starting to think that a large shed cycle might not happen and we would be treated to a generally clean canvas. Optimistic uncertainty.
We spent a long afternoon of basking around a beautiful alpine camp, an activity that would become a pattern for most of the trip. Ptarmigan made their mountain chicken calls throughout the evening as we tried to settle into early sleep.
We spent a long afternoon of basking around a beautiful alpine camp, an activity that would become a pattern for most of the trip. Ptarmigan made their mountain chicken calls throughout the evening as we tried to settle into early sleep.
Late afternoon camp at Chikamin Lake Tuesday April 22. Scott Rinckenberger photo
We were moving before 5:15am on Wednesday and soon heard more Ptarmigan calls (they are most vocal dawn and dusk) as we climbed Lemah 1. Soon we were on the col looking east down a snowy ramp into the Lemah basin as the sunrise started to light up our surroundings. We admired views of the waning crescent moon and the early morning light hitting our previous day’s turns off Chikamin. While the access ramp was snowy, the snow was firm and we cautiously made loud turns into Lemah’s east basin.
Skiing into Lemah's east basin Wednesday April 23. Scott Rinckenberger photo
Down in the basin, we relished in our surroundings. In addition to the five numbered Lemahs, there are some beautiful rock towers interspersed amongst the named fingers. Lemah is derived from Chinook Jargon's interpretation of the word "hand" with each individual peak representing a finger.
One of our shared desired ski lines was Lemah Mt (aka Lemah 3 and the highest of the five fingers). From the previous day on Chikamin Ridge, we could see that a summit ski was not in the cards due to large walls of discontinuous snow. Now below this beautiful massif we were impressed with snowy ramps falling from high on Lemah 3’s east face and agreed it was worth investigating.
One of our shared desired ski lines was Lemah Mt (aka Lemah 3 and the highest of the five fingers). From the previous day on Chikamin Ridge, we could see that a summit ski was not in the cards due to large walls of discontinuous snow. Now below this beautiful massif we were impressed with snowy ramps falling from high on Lemah 3’s east face and agreed it was worth investigating.
Skinning towards Lemah Mt Wednesday April 23. Scott Rinckenberger photo
The snowpack was most favorably defined as crème brûlée. Burnt top with deep cream underneath. While I prefer minimal burnt at the dessert table, I was currently hoping this top crust was thicker. As we started skinning up towards Lemah 3, the cream was a couple inches deep. This didn’t last long as the slope got steeper and the cloudless sky helped the sun expedite the day’s warming. We backed off quickly from concern of the crust going away and leaving just a whole lot of unstable cream. We also knew the skiing would not be good; likely inconsistent breakable crust. Scott and I love to ski but we also share the commitment to ski challenging lines when the skiing is good. Also relevant, the morning was warming quickly and we were determined to descend Lemah’s massive ESE gulley before it lost it’s crust and hazard increased.
We continued north. Soon we were about to drop into the huge gulley feature that drains the north end of the Lemah Basin. Almost a 3000’ descent, this brought us to our lowest point of the Figure 8 down in Lemah Meadows.
We continued north. Soon we were about to drop into the huge gulley feature that drains the north end of the Lemah Basin. Almost a 3000’ descent, this brought us to our lowest point of the Figure 8 down in Lemah Meadows.
Looking up large drain from Lemah Meadows Wednesday April 23. Scott Rinckenberger photo
With little to no recent storm snow at this lower elevation, the snowpack was firm allowing for continued safe travel. After a long break of rehydrating, we started climbing up the barrier ridge that separates the Lemah basin from the Chimney Glacier basin. Every skin stride higher brought better views. Soon we were on a large bench at 5000’ with a panoramic vista of the east side of the SHP. This would be the night’s camp and large lounge area for the rest of the day.
Late day camp vibes Wednesday April 23. Scott Rinckenberger photo
It was a great day of travel. We reviewed our decision making throughout the day and dialed in the following day’s plan. Earlier starts were prudent as we were getting into hotter days and had yet to see much natural avalanche activity. Still unsure how the crust battle would fare between clear nights increasing its depth versus warmer daytime temps melting it. This uncertainty helped us remove a Chimney Glacier Direct ski line we had been excited about for months. Sensible uncertainty.
Thursday started with a firm descent down a couloir east into the Chimney Glacier basin. Wild place.
Thursday started with a firm descent down a couloir east into the Chimney Glacier basin. Wild place.
Touring through the Chimney Glacier basin Thursday April 24. Scott Rinckenberger photo
We climbed north over a 5800’ saddle before traversing and then skiing (powder!) onto the open slopes below the 1500’ east wall of Chimney’s North Peak.
We skinned up to the Overcoat Col on enough crust to keep us comfortable. After admiring views back southwest to the front yard of our beloved Snoqualmie Pass, we were excited to further explore the pristine-looking north face of Finger of Fate. While the settled storm snow was over a foot deep, there was little to no wind effect, no cracking, and no sudden results in active tests as we climbed it. Uncertainty close to gone, this bonus ski line was a real treat.
We skinned up to the Overcoat Col on enough crust to keep us comfortable. After admiring views back southwest to the front yard of our beloved Snoqualmie Pass, we were excited to further explore the pristine-looking north face of Finger of Fate. While the settled storm snow was over a foot deep, there was little to no wind effect, no cracking, and no sudden results in active tests as we climbed it. Uncertainty close to gone, this bonus ski line was a real treat.
Skiing Finger of Fate Thursday April 24. Scott Rinckenberger photo
Tracks on Finger of Fate April 24. Scott Rinckenberger photo
We relished this rare high alpine pow run before continuing down the Overcoat Glacier. The ski karma continued with fast settled pow turns transitioning to chalky goodness to corn. Yes, we finally found some snow resembling corn on north-facing mid elevations. Over 3500’ of great fall line skiing later, we arrived at the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. At our midday rest destination, we bathed, rehydrated, ate and then skinned northeast to the head of the valley. That evening we wanted to finalize the plan to finish our trip and got a weather forecast that surprised us. Good news; no precip coming in the next three days. Alarming news; the days were not going to get cooler yet. Even warmer temps meant we weren’t past the peak of likely shedding (wet avalanches). While the Finger of Fate ski was great, it was unique (high elevation, north aspect, and mostly protected from the west winds of recent storm). We decided to abort some bigger ski objectives we originally had in this northern end of the SHP and rather Figure 8 our way back to Chikamin Lake. Still not a gimme as the return route was exposed to steep terrain in and above the route. We would try to time our travel as favorably as possible.
Friday was spent moving camp early in the morning from the head of the Mid Fork onto the ridge northwest of the Summit Chief massif. Scott talked me into this extra effort, rather than using the more efficient valley I had travelled through a few times before, to get up onto this ridge. I’m grateful he did as the views were spectacular. Here, we basked in the sun, napped in the shade, went for a short afternoon ski tour, and watched the sun set as it lit up various alpine faces amongst our panoramic background of bigger backyard goodness.
Friday was spent moving camp early in the morning from the head of the Mid Fork onto the ridge northwest of the Summit Chief massif. Scott talked me into this extra effort, rather than using the more efficient valley I had travelled through a few times before, to get up onto this ridge. I’m grateful he did as the views were spectacular. Here, we basked in the sun, napped in the shade, went for a short afternoon ski tour, and watched the sun set as it lit up various alpine faces amongst our panoramic background of bigger backyard goodness.
Camp/lounge zone Friday April 25. Scott Rinckenberger photo
Saturday was going to be a big day of travel. A predawn start got us smoothly to the Summit Chief Col where we admired the early morning sun shining onto Chimney’s big east wall.
Early light on Chimney Peak from Summit Chief Col Saturday April 26. Scott Rinckenberger photo
The surface was reassuringly firm at the top of the Summit Chief Col but that changed quickly as we descended into breakable crust to mush the bottom few hundred feet. Not good as we were about to start a 2000’ climb up an east aspect to the Overcoat Col. Adding to the not goodness were clear signs of new glide cracks high on this slope we had travelled on two days prior. We would be travelling up a sunny slope under overhead hazard as the likelihood of wet avalanches, including glide, increased. While still a low likelihood, it was getting into prime time for these uncertain avalanches to release. Through a quick discussion, we chose to continue quickly accepting it was at the edge of our comfort zone. Risky uncertainty.
Moving quickly, we climbed up out of the mush before reaching the steeper overhead hazard and eventually made it onto the Overcoat Col without incident. We felt lucky and agreed we need to make sure we are not in that position again. Taking a long rest here in the center of the Figure 8, we admired our surroundings with a little relief that our next descent southwest to Iceberg Lake would be in the shade. Gray-crowned rosy-finches feasted on insects from the snow surface. Our tracks off the Finger of Fate reminded us how variable nearby slopes can be.
Continuing with the variability theme, the snow surface stayed rock hard on our descent to Iceberg Lake with lots of side slipping the first few hundred feet. I have skied through here a handful of times, often later in the season, and this was the shallowest snowpack I had ever experienced with more rock bands than previously encountered. Sadly, this climate change reality is transitioning our once difficult ski runs into complex technical descents. I’m seeing this throughout the Cascades whether the descent to Moraine Lake on the Forbidden Tour or skiing the north slopes of Chair Peak.
Back to a happier note…from Iceberg Lake we enjoyed firm and fast skinning to the aesthetic col under the west side of the Lemahs before a very efficient downhill traverse to just below the outlet of Chikamin Lake.
And then we were closing the Figure 8 around the central Snoqualmie High Peaks. I had a moment. We didn’t set out to weave north and south around this respectable massif but I was so grateful we did. Hard to get the time, conditions, and partner(s) to line up for such an adventure to connect a little more with this wild place. Gratitude filled my soul.
Moving quickly, we climbed up out of the mush before reaching the steeper overhead hazard and eventually made it onto the Overcoat Col without incident. We felt lucky and agreed we need to make sure we are not in that position again. Taking a long rest here in the center of the Figure 8, we admired our surroundings with a little relief that our next descent southwest to Iceberg Lake would be in the shade. Gray-crowned rosy-finches feasted on insects from the snow surface. Our tracks off the Finger of Fate reminded us how variable nearby slopes can be.
Continuing with the variability theme, the snow surface stayed rock hard on our descent to Iceberg Lake with lots of side slipping the first few hundred feet. I have skied through here a handful of times, often later in the season, and this was the shallowest snowpack I had ever experienced with more rock bands than previously encountered. Sadly, this climate change reality is transitioning our once difficult ski runs into complex technical descents. I’m seeing this throughout the Cascades whether the descent to Moraine Lake on the Forbidden Tour or skiing the north slopes of Chair Peak.
Back to a happier note…from Iceberg Lake we enjoyed firm and fast skinning to the aesthetic col under the west side of the Lemahs before a very efficient downhill traverse to just below the outlet of Chikamin Lake.
And then we were closing the Figure 8 around the central Snoqualmie High Peaks. I had a moment. We didn’t set out to weave north and south around this respectable massif but I was so grateful we did. Hard to get the time, conditions, and partner(s) to line up for such an adventure to connect a little more with this wild place. Gratitude filled my soul.
General route of our Figure 8 loop
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Just before dropping into Lemah Basin Wednesday April 23
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But we weren’t home yet. Once at Chikamin Lake, and back in the sun, the snow softened and soon we were managing wet slides as we descended towards Glacier Lake. We found a wind protected spot (thank you large mountain hemlocks) for our last camp and discussed our strategy to safely get back to our vehicle on Snoqualmie Pass. In lower elevations unlikely to get much freeze, we agreed we would need to pull out our night moves. Scott and I had a good run practicing our night moves when we skied the “5 in 5” during the heat dome of 2021. We made sure our headlamps were charged and set off at 2:30am to reverse our route back home. While I am all about efficiency and typically like to “edit” routes where safe for short cuts, it quickly became apparent how efficient it was to stay near our approach tracks that were still visible from six days prior. Without following our tracks, we would have needed to use navigational tools often. Leading became quite fun, especially on descents, ensuring we were travelling close to our old tracks.
We were able to ski, with some dirt hopping, all the way to the road below Mt Margaret along Rocky Run Creek and found ourselves at Laconia Market late morning for a recovery feast. The same place we started this adventure and the same place we start and end so many of our local outings.
We did not ski any of the desired ski lines we set out with, but we were treated with great visibility to assist in critical assessment of stability and to enjoy in this magnificent area of The Cascades. We also got an unexpected bonus ski on the Finger of Fate we won’t soon forget. While our planning was solid with many great alternate plans, it ultimately comes down to managing uncertainty in the field. We had more uncertainty than expected and hence backed off a lot of lines. What is certain is how grateful we are to have such a big backyard.
We were able to ski, with some dirt hopping, all the way to the road below Mt Margaret along Rocky Run Creek and found ourselves at Laconia Market late morning for a recovery feast. The same place we started this adventure and the same place we start and end so many of our local outings.
We did not ski any of the desired ski lines we set out with, but we were treated with great visibility to assist in critical assessment of stability and to enjoy in this magnificent area of The Cascades. We also got an unexpected bonus ski on the Finger of Fate we won’t soon forget. While our planning was solid with many great alternate plans, it ultimately comes down to managing uncertainty in the field. We had more uncertainty than expected and hence backed off a lot of lines. What is certain is how grateful we are to have such a big backyard.