About This Route
Stevens Pass to Lake Janus section of the PCT in Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers a 20-mile ski loop from the Stevens Pass ski area (4,061 feet) through Chiwaukum Mountains to 6,500-foot passes. Intersecting the PCT at Nason Ridge, this route features tree skiing, open bowls, and glacier-lite terrain near Cowboy Mountain. NWAC logs 12-18 feet snowpack; access via US 2, with lift boosts for hybrid tours. PCTA notes high traffic, so scout for crowds.
Safety Considerations
Glide avalanches on grassy slopes; daily NWAC Level 2 checks essential. Tree wells swallow skis near hemlock stands; pole ahead. Icy bootpacks from resort spillovers, microspikes advised. USFS: beacon mandatory above treeline. Fog banks reduce vis to 50 feet.
Essential Gear
Mammut Barryvox beacon, BCA shovel, ski goggles (Oakley). DPS Pagoda skis, Marker Alpinist bindings. inReach, headlamp (Petzl Duo), emergency bivy.
Emergency Tips
Tree well: yell location, self-extricate with poles. Injured: clear LZ at Jimmy Creek, call Chelan County SAR.