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| '''Alpental''' A valley (''lit.'' "Alpine Valley" (in German)) in [[King County, | |||
| '''Alpental''' is a ] and "Alpine Valley" (in German) in ], ], about a mile north of ] at ], in the ], about 50 miles east of ]. It offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, climbing and other alpine activities. Geologically, it is a three sided canyon where the valley is flanked by ] on the west, ] to the north, and ] to the east, with ] occupying the upper valley area and feeding the South Fork of the ]. | |||
| Washington]], ], about a mile north of ] at ], | |||
| in the ], about 50 miles east of ], which is | |||
| popular for many outdoor activities. It offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking, | |||
| climbing and other alpine activities. Geologically, it is a three sided canyon where the | |||
| valley is flanked by ] on the west, ] to the north, and [[Mt. | |||
| Snoqualmie]] to the east, with ] occupying the upper valley area and feeding | |||
| the South Fork of the ]. | |||
| == History == | == History == | ||
| In 1967, mining claims were transformed into the Alpental ski area. In order to gain access to the area an agreement had to be made with the Sahalie Ski Club to allow a road through their property. Alpental ski area agreed to maintain roads at their cost for the Sahalie group in exchange for this access. Though the road accesses public forest land, the road is not part of the forest service nor the county road system, but is maintained by Ski Lifts, |
In 1967, mining claims were transformed into the Alpental ski area. In order to gain access | ||
| to the area an agreement had to be made with the Sahalie Ski Club to allow a road through | |||
| their property. Alpental ski area agreed to maintain roads at their cost for the Sahalie | |||
| group in exchange for this access. Though the road accesses public forest land, the road is | |||
| not part of the forest service nor the county road system, but is maintained by Ski Lifts, | |||
| Inc. | |||
| == Recreation == | == Recreation == | ||
| This has traditionally been one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the Cascades, with a rich history of Northwest climbing starting from this valley floor. There is also a ski area on Denny Mt. called ], operated by Booth Creek Ski Holdings Inc., of which controlling shares are owned by Vail entreprenuer ] | This has traditionally been one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the | ||
| Cascades, with a rich history of Northwest climbing starting from this valley floor. There | |||
| is also a ski area on Denny Mt. called ], operated by Booth Creek Ski Holdings | |||
| Inc., of which controlling shares are owned by Vail entreprenuer, and Montreal Canadians | |||
| owner ] | |||
| The ski concession is a small part of ] ski area, but offers | |||
| excellent advanced backcountry skiing access to pristine wilderness and roadless areas. The | |||
| inbound terrain in which the ski concession operates is considered the most difficult of the | |||
| Summit at Snoqualmie ski area, with 75% rated advanced, 22% rated intermediate and 3% rated | |||
| beginner. The ski area at Alpental has four chairlifts that provide access to 2,280 feet | |||
| (695 m) of vertical and 302 acres (1.2 km²). The area has more than 500 acres (2 km²) in its | |||
| backcountry area. The entire NE side of the ridgeline from Denny Mt., extending toward Chair | |||
| Peak can be traversed, and a great deal of varying terrain can be accessed from the upper | |||
| ''chair 2''. Backcountry access from chairlifts is by permission through the Alpental ski | |||
| patrol, or by the traditional method of hiking from one of the upper parking lots. The base | |||
| of Alpental is 3,140 ft (957 m) with a top chairlift elevation of 5,420 ft (1652 m). | |||
| Alpental's average snowfall is 444 inches (1127 cm). | |||
| The ski concession is a small part of ] ski area, but offers excellent advanced backcountry skiing access to pristine wilderness. The inbound terrain in which the ski concession operates is considered the most difficult of the Summit at Snoqualmie ski area, with 75% rated advanced, 22% rated intermediate and 3% rated beginner. The ski area at Alpental has four chairlifts that provide access to 2,280 feet (695 m) of vertical and 302 acres (1.2 km²). The area has more than 500 acres (2 km²) in its backcountry area. The entire NE side of the ridgeline from Denny Mt., extending toward Chair Peak can be traversed, and a great deal of varying terrain can be accessed from the upper ''chair 2''. Backcountry access from chairlifts is by permission through the Alpental ski patrol, or by hiking from one of the upper parking lots. The base of Alpental is 3,140 ft (957 m) with a top chairlift elevation of 5,420 ft (1652 m). Alpental's average snowfall is 444 inches (1127 cm). | |||
| Night skiing is also available on the lower mountain. | Night skiing is also available on the lower mountain. | ||
| The upper parking lots, traditionally known as lots 3 and 4 at Alpental are public land, managed by the USFS Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, and are free and open to the public under Article F in the . These lots are plowed and open to the public as part of the agreement with the USFS which issues the ski area's Special Use Permit. The upper public lots are a convenient starting point for many winter climbing, skiing, and snowshoeing routes. The north slopes of the valley are steep and very avalanche prone.<ref> {{cite book | |||
| The upper parking lots, traditionally known as lots 3 and 4 at Alpental are public land, | |||
| managed by the USFS Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, and are free and open to the | |||
| public under Article F in the , under which this particular ski | |||
| concession operates. These lots are kept clear of snow and open to the public as part of the | |||
| agreement with the USFS which issues the ski area's Special Use Permit. Aside from being the | |||
| most choice real estate in the valley, the upper public lots not only are a convenient place | |||
| to park and ski or snowboard down to the lifts, they have historically been an excellent | |||
| point to access many winter climbing, skiing, and snowshoeing routes. Lot 4 is described as | |||
| the start of several tours in Martin Volken's guidebook; Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass. | |||
| Here is an excerpt: | |||
| "Approach: Take Interstate 90 to the Snoqualmie Pass west exit. Drive on Alpental Road to | |||
| the uppermost parking lot (3,220 feet). Leave your vehicle here. From the parking lot you'll | |||
| see a groomed path leading deeper into the Alpental valley. Follow this path to the end. | |||
| From here you continue up the valley, staying well above and south of the Snoqualmie River. | |||
| Be aware that the north slopes of the valley are steep and very avalanche prone." | |||
| Volken, Martin Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass A Falcon Guide 2002, The Globe Pequot | |||
| Press pp.71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 84,87, 89,91, 93, 95, 98 | |||
| <ref> {{cite book | |||
| | author = Martin Volken | | author = Martin Volken | ||
| | title = Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass | | title = Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass | ||
| Line 19: | Line 110: | ||
| }} </ref> | }} </ref> | ||
| Alpental offers many opportunities for climbing as well as touring. From Chair Peak (or the Tooth, or Bryant Peak) in the winter:<ref> {{cite book | |||
| There are indeed many opportunities for climbing as well as touring from Lot 4. For example | |||
| if one wanted to climb Chair Peak (or the Tooth, or Bryant Peak) in the winter as Jim Nelson | |||
| and Peter Potterfield describe in their guide: | |||
| "The difficulty of this approach varies, depending on snow conditions. Drive I-90 to | |||
| Snoqualmie Pass and Exit 52; cross under the freeway by heading north, and follow signs to | |||
| Alpental. Drive Alpental Road north 2 miles to the upper parking lot. Hike upvalley, staying | |||
| left (south) of the creek, to the head of the valley above Source Lake. This area is prone | |||
| to avalanche. Use extreme caution." | |||
| <ref> {{cite book | |||
| | author=Jim Nelson and Peter Potterfield | | author=Jim Nelson and Peter Potterfield | ||
| | title=Selected Climbs in the Cascades | | title=Selected Climbs in the Cascades | ||
| Line 26: | Line 136: | ||
| | date=1993 | | date=1993 | ||
| | pages=46}} </ref> | | pages=46}} </ref> | ||
| <blockquote> | |||
| The difficulty of this approach varies, depending on snow conditions. Drive I-90 to Snoqualmie Pass and Exit 52; cross under the freeway by heading north, and follow signs to Alpental. Drive Alpental Road north 2 miles to the parking lot. Hike upvalley, staying left (south) of the creek, to the head of the valley above Source Lake. This area is prone to avalanche. Use extreme caution. | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| == Controversy == | |||
| == Development == | |||
| Booth Creek Ski Holdings, the operator of Alpental, has petitioned the ] for permission to develop Alpental's backcountry.<ref> {{cite web | |||
| Booth Creek Ski Holdings Inc, the operator of Alpental, has petitioned the ] for | |||
| permission to develop Alpental's pristine backcountry.<ref> {{cite web | |||
| | url = http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/summit-at-snoqualmie/ | | url = http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/summit-at-snoqualmie/ | ||
| | publisher = ] | | publisher = ] | ||
| Line 54: | Line 164: | ||
| == External links == | == External links == | ||
| * History of area and virtual tours | * History of area and virtual tours | ||
| * |
* Access/stewardship | ||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 04:16, 29 September 2006
Alpental A valley (lit. "Alpine Valley" (in German)) in [[King County,
Washington]], US, about a mile north of I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass,
in the Washington Cascades, about 50 miles east of Seattle, which is
popular for many outdoor activities. It offers skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, hiking,
climbing and other alpine activities. Geologically, it is a three sided canyon where the
valley is flanked by Denny Mountain on the west, Chair Peak to the north, and [[Mt.
Snoqualmie]] to the east, with Source Lake occupying the upper valley area and feeding
the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River.
History
In 1967, mining claims were transformed into the Alpental ski area. In order to gain access
to the area an agreement had to be made with the Sahalie Ski Club to allow a road through
their property. Alpental ski area agreed to maintain roads at their cost for the Sahalie
group in exchange for this access. Though the road accesses public forest land, the road is
not part of the forest service nor the county road system, but is maintained by Ski Lifts,
Inc.
Recreation
This has traditionally been one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the
Cascades, with a rich history of Northwest climbing starting from this valley floor. There
is also a ski area on Denny Mt. called Alpental, operated by Booth Creek Ski Holdings
Inc., of which controlling shares are owned by Vail entreprenuer, and Montreal Canadians
owner George N. Gillett Jr.
The ski concession is a small part of The Summit at Snoqualmie ski area, but offers
excellent advanced backcountry skiing access to pristine wilderness and roadless areas. The
inbound terrain in which the ski concession operates is considered the most difficult of the
Summit at Snoqualmie ski area, with 75% rated advanced, 22% rated intermediate and 3% rated
beginner. The ski area at Alpental has four chairlifts that provide access to 2,280 feet
(695 m) of vertical and 302 acres (1.2 km²). The area has more than 500 acres (2 km²) in its
backcountry area. The entire NE side of the ridgeline from Denny Mt., extending toward Chair
Peak can be traversed, and a great deal of varying terrain can be accessed from the upper
chair 2. Backcountry access from chairlifts is by permission through the Alpental ski
patrol, or by the traditional method of hiking from one of the upper parking lots. The base
of Alpental is 3,140 ft (957 m) with a top chairlift elevation of 5,420 ft (1652 m).
Alpental's average snowfall is 444 inches (1127 cm).
Night skiing is also available on the lower mountain.
The upper parking lots, traditionally known as lots 3 and 4 at Alpental are public land,
managed by the USFS Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest, and are free and open to the
public under Article F in the , under which this particular ski
concession operates. These lots are kept clear of snow and open to the public as part of the
agreement with the USFS which issues the ski area's Special Use Permit. Aside from being the
most choice real estate in the valley, the upper public lots not only are a convenient place
to park and ski or snowboard down to the lifts, they have historically been an excellent
point to access many winter climbing, skiing, and snowshoeing routes. Lot 4 is described as
the start of several tours in Martin Volken's guidebook; Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass.
Here is an excerpt:
"Approach: Take Interstate 90 to the Snoqualmie Pass west exit. Drive on Alpental Road to
the uppermost parking lot (3,220 feet). Leave your vehicle here. From the parking lot you'll
see a groomed path leading deeper into the Alpental valley. Follow this path to the end.
From here you continue up the valley, staying well above and south of the Snoqualmie River.
Be aware that the north slopes of the valley are steep and very avalanche prone."
Volken, Martin Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass A Falcon Guide 2002, The Globe Pequot
Press pp.71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 84,87, 89,91, 93, 95, 98
There are indeed many opportunities for climbing as well as touring from Lot 4. For example
if one wanted to climb Chair Peak (or the Tooth, or Bryant Peak) in the winter as Jim Nelson
and Peter Potterfield describe in their guide:
"The difficulty of this approach varies, depending on snow conditions. Drive I-90 to
Snoqualmie Pass and Exit 52; cross under the freeway by heading north, and follow signs to
Alpental. Drive Alpental Road north 2 miles to the upper parking lot. Hike upvalley, staying
left (south) of the creek, to the head of the valley above Source Lake. This area is prone
to avalanche. Use extreme caution."
Development
Booth Creek Ski Holdings Inc, the operator of Alpental, has petitioned the USFS for
permission to develop Alpental's pristine backcountry. Organized opposition exists for this proposal.
References
- Martin Volken (2001-12-01). Backcountry Skiing Snoqualmie Pass. Falcon. ISBN 0762710667.
- Jim Nelson and Peter Potterfield (1993). Selected Climbs in the Cascades. The Mountaineers. p. 46. ISBN 0898867673.
- "Draft environmental impact statement (DEIS)" (pdf). USFS. 2002-10-01. Retrieved 2006-09-28.
External links
- Alpental website History of area and virtual tours
- Free Alpental Access/stewardship
BoothCreek Ski Holdings,Inc. SEC info.
Category: