FATMAP by Strava

Sunbeam Basin

Mount Rainier National Park

A great north facing basin within the Tatoosh Range

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
8.9 km
Ascent
625 m
Descent
625 m
Duration
3-4 hrs
Low Point
1.4 km
High Point
1.9 km
Gradient
40˚
Sunbeam Basin Map

Sunbeam Basin is another option if you are looking to find north facing slopes within the Eastern side of Mount Rainier. Being that this bowl has numerous different aspects being both treed and open you can easily navigate in the worst of conditions. This area is quite large so it can fit numerous groups with each having there own fresh tracks yet using the same skin track. From steeps to mellow lines this is a great ski tour for people of all skiing abilities.

Description

Heading up the Paradise Road you need to start this tour at the Narada Falls Parking lot. Make your way East up the open slopes and with a few well places switchbacks you are on the Stevens Canyon Road. Keep making your way on the road passing by Reflection lake and under a north slope before arriving at the outflow of Sunbeam Basin.

Start climbing up the main drainage on its lookers right and soon you will have a view of the whole basin. This is a great spot to start thinking about potential lines before heading southwest via the treed slopes which soon arrives on the ridge separating Pinnacle Glacier Basin. From here you can head southeast until arriving at the top of Sunbeam Basin. Being on the ridge you have numerous options for descents and as long as they all head in a northerly direction will bring you back to the bottom. Once you’ve had your powder fix for the day just retrace your skin track all the way back to the open slopes above the Narada Falls Parking lot and make a few ski turns down to the parking lot.

To see my trip in the area and more photos check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/mt-rainier/sunbeam-basin/

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between January and June

Features

  • Bowl
  • Tree Skiing
  • Single Descent

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area