skyline divide
4/15/2015
Weather Forecast
Tue, 05.12
Wed, 06.12
Thu, 07.12
.Heavy rain along with rising snow levels Monday into Tuesday will lead to rapidly rising rivers across the area. It is likely that many rivers will reach flood stage late Monday night or Tuesday. ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Washington, including the following counties, in northwest Washington, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom. In west central Washington, King, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston. * WHEN...Through late Wednesday night. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Excessive rainfall Monday and Tuesday with 7 to 10 inches possible over the Olympics, 5 to 9 inches over the Cascades, 3 to 5 inches along the coast and 1.5 to 3 inches over the interior lowlands. Snow levels will rise to around 9000 feet Monday night before dropping Tuesday. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
(NWS Seattle (Northwest Washington))
Gaia Map
Approximate Route Map
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I have been wanting to hike Skyline Divide for a while after seeing some pictures of it last summer. I finally got the chance thanks to a full day of sun in the forecast.
The road was snow-covered 1.2 miles from the trail-head. It was several feet of powder so I got out to walk the rest of the road. When I arrived at the actual trailhead, there were no cars despite fresh tire tracks in the snow. This was going to be a nice solitary hike up to the skyline divide.
The Skyline Divide trail is nothing to rave about when there is snow. Nothing more than a steep trail through the woods. I should have brought some snowshoes with me considering the time of year. But, I forgot to rent them the night before from the student center. Instead I post-holed most of the way up to the divide. In a few places there were some snowshoe tracks. I was able to follow them partway. But without them, there would be a basic amount of navigation work.
The view from the top is spectacular. There are sweeping views from Baker to Shuksan and all through the north cascades. It was excellent spending 5 hours in the north cascades in complete solitude. I would love to return in summer and see what the wildflowers look like. But, I have heard the crowds on the Skyline Divide Hike can be heavy.