Description

Have you ever been heading up the Crystal Mountain Gondola and looked to the south noticing a peak that is a tad bit higher than the surrounding peaks.

Well if you have then this is Mount Aix which is a great area but be warned that just driving there is almost as long as the ski tour itself.

Since the Chinook Pass road is closed mid winter that means you have to drive all the way around the Cascades via Snoqualmie Pass before heading South then driving up 410 from the East side.

Fortunately the road up to Bumping lake is usually cleared but unfortunately the road over to the Mount Aix summer trail is not.

Plan on camping overnight before starting the tour as the drive alone is around 4 hours.

This is a great weekend tour leaving Friday night and coming back home on Sunday. If you are lucky the road will be plowed up to the junction of the Deep Creek road where you need to start skinning up.

After a few miles take the Mount Aix summer trail and do everything you can to make sure you are still on it.

If you were lucky enough to stay on it before long you will hit a low col of the high ridge, if not make sure to stay in the trees instead of a steep traverse on alpine slopes. Once on the ridge you need to go up and over a small peak before heading to the West ridge of Mount Aix.

From here it is a straightforward climb all the way to the summit.

Standing on top you will see at least a seasons worth of ski touring options but if only on a day trip make the most out of it by dropping into the North face.

Ride through the choke point and all the way down to the flats below before switching over to skinning and making your way back up to the western col.

Once on the col head west towards the high point you had climbed earlier in the day.

From here you have two options, first you could just drop in and ride just skiers right of the main gully until reaching the summer trail or go with option B.

Looking south you will notice a sweet ramp that goes by Nelson Ridge on the maps. If you go with Plan B make your way south following the ridge until you make it up to the high point.

Below you to the Northwest is a sweet looking ramp that is begging for ski tracks.

Drop in and enjoy a fall line run all the way down the main gully.

Once you get into the trees make sure to stay skiers right of the gully and before long you will be back on the summer trail follow this down into the valley floor.

Now it is time to skin back down the road to the car.

By now the sun should be setting so why not make the most out of the scenery and camp again at the lake before driving back home.

Click here for a trip within the area and much more photos https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/crystal-mountain/mount-aix/