Snowy Crawford Oaks

[drm]

Not many people go here in the snow. Ends up it's a great place for a shorter cross country ski trip. Three of us went up the accedss road and then followed the Military Road to the top of the plateau.

on the plateau, Dalles Mtn Rd just over head

Heading over to get a view of the Columbia (photo: Betsy F)

shimmering river

fun coming down (photo: Betsy F)

[Charley]

I've dreamed of skiing the Columbia hills (Catherine Creek area might be fun, too). I can't make it out there, but I'm glad someone did! It looks like a satisfying trip.

[drm]

The key thing is to find a rockless area as you're never going to get a consolidated base over there so even modest sized rocks could damage the skis. Got to be over only grass. The slope above the Catherine Creek parking area is another place I've had in mind, but any farther west and I think it gets too rocky.

Btw, while I84 is a mess, even east of Hood River, SR14 was dry and clean. Lots more sun exposure over there. People are taking 14 even between HR and TD now. While today's ice storm will change this, the last few days SR14 was even dry over Cape Horn.

[Charley]

Good to know about SR 14. I doubt I'll ever make it over to the east gorge for skiing. Just seems like a pipe dream.

[bobcat]

Nice idea. I'd love to ski around there. What's the snow depth on those lower hills?

[kepPNW]

Looks wonderful!

Btw, while I84 is a mess, even east of Hood River, SR14 was dry and clean. Lots more sun exposure over there. People are taking 14 even between HR and TD now. While today's ice storm will change this, the last few days SR14 was even dry over Cape Horn.

Yeah, as a general heads-up, SR-14 is now closed between Washougal and the HR bridge...

WSDOT ALERT UPDATE: Restrictions on SR 14 through the Columbia River Gorge



DATE/TIME: Jan. 18, 2017, 5:20 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: Due to snow slides and fallen trees, SR 14 is closed between Evergreen Boulevard near Washougal and the Hood River Bridge near White Salmon. There is no estimate for reopening the highway at this time.

LOCATION: SR 14, Columbia River Gorge

START: Jan. 17, 2017, 2:20 p.m.

END: Unknown

CONTACT: Bart Treece, WSDOT Communications, 360-905-2058

[drm]

Nice idea. I'd love to ski around there. What's the snow depth on those lower hills?

Maybe around a foot or so - then. I doubt much has melted. We got about 1/8" of crusty ice (freezing rain mixed with sleet) in TD last night, so that is now on top of the snow.

Karl - timing is everything!