25
Mar
2018
jloomis

Fresh powder on Mt Saint Helens, a snowmobilers dream

We have received some great Spring snow in the mountains this week. We even had a light dusting at our house Saturday morning. We (Kevin and I) decided to ride Mt Saint Helens on Sunday with our friend Steve we met on Adams a month or so back.

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We arrived at Marble Mountain SnoPark right at 8 AM. To our surprise it wasn't as packed as usual. We easily found parking and quickly snowmobiled down the trail toward the Muddy River Lahar.

Unloading the snowmobiles at Marble Mountain SnoPark     Steve ripping up the powder on his Polaris Pro

The snowmobiling conditions were spectacular. The best I have had on Mt Saint Helens and maybe the best this year. There was 2-3 feet of powder under partly cloudy skies (with fog off and on).

Powder everywhere!     Snowmobile break

We played around on the Lahar for awhile before heading up and over to the Plains of Abraham.

Snowmobiling up the Muddy River Lahar     Steve jumping his sled

It was so much better today than a month ago in the ice. We could really open up the snowmobiles and have fun jumping, carving, and hill climbing. Some people thing snowmobiling is a lazy mans sport, but that is simply not true. I am often more sore after a day of hard riding than a day of hiking or mountain climbing. It's hard work, but super fun.

Mt Saint Helens from the Plains of Abraham     Playing around on the Plains of Abraham

We didn't put very many miles on the snowmobiles today, but that is because we were only on the trail for 5-10 miles round-trip. The rest of the day was all off trail playing. The snow started to get really wet later in the afternoon after the sun had been on it for several hours. By that time, we were getting tired and the heavy snow forced us to have to manhandle our snowmobiles more. We decided it was time to head back. What an awesome day. Thanks for joining us Steve. You are welcome any time.

2017/18 Mileage

Trip: 35 miles
Season: 276 miles
Total Days: 9

2016/17 Season: 239 miles, 8 days

2015/16 Season: 408 miles, 15 days

Gear List

2014 Polaris 800 Pro RMK Snowmobile
2013 Polaris 800 Switchback Assault Snowmobile
Up North Technologies PRO SERIES Snowmobile Cargo Rack
P-700-B Low Profile Powder Keg
HMK Summit V16 Pack
GMAX GM76X Helmet
Smith Phenom Turbo Fan Goggles
Columbia Men’s Bugaboot Max Electric Boots
HMK Hustler 2 Snowmobile Pants
Columbia Titanium Hightail II Softshell Jacket
HMK Cascade Snowmobile Jacket
Columbia Powerfly Down Puff Jacket
Head Digital Sport Liner Gloves
Outdoor Research Ambit Gloves
Columbia Men's Fast Trek Fleece Hat
Balaclava
HighGear ATF8 Altimeter
Petzl TIKKA XP 2 Headlamp
Olympus Tough TG-1 Camera
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Snow Shovel
Fiskars POWER TOOTH Softgrip 10" Folding Saw
Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 Auto
First Aid Kit
SPOT Gen3
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active w/BackCountry Navigator
Suunto A-10 Compass

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Disclaimer: You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards of backcountry travel and taking the necessary precautions. Loomis Adventures may not be held liable.