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Edith Basin
Backcountry Skiing Route
Details
3.38 mi
1,319 ft
A power paradise just next to Paradise
Edith Basin is the go to area when you are looking for powder conditions leaving from the Paradise Visitor Center. Being just below alpine it allows for you to make the most out of this zone no matter what weather it is, sunny or stormy. Add to that the fact that this ski tour starts at 5,400 feet and with a 15 minute skin down road before starting your ascent you won’t be limited to just one run. With a well placed skin track you can find numerous semi open slopes which all head back down to the Valley road. The view of Mount Rainier during this tour is stunning but that is pretty much the case with all of the ski tours based in this zone.
Starting at the Paradise Parking lot make your way East on the Valley road which will be snow covered during the winter months. This route wraps down into the Paradise River Basin before connecting with the Fourth River Crossing trail which is the perfect spot to start ascending. Making your way up lookers right of the main creek and you will soon find yourself in semi open alpine slopes where you need to cut a hard right following the treed slopes all the way up to the ridge loosely following the established trail.
Once on top of the ridge you have numerous options for ski descents dropping down the west facing slopes. If you plan on making a few laps it is worth riding down to and transitioning mid slope in the upper alpine basin before heading back up. Lap after lap just keep to this zone before it is time for your final descent all the way back down to the road. For the exit just retrace your original traverse back to the parking lot making sure you have more than enough time to get out before the gates at Longmire are locked for the night.
To see my trip in the area and more photos check out this link
Written by Kyle Miller
Edith Basin is the go to area when you are looking for powder conditions leaving from the Paradise Visitor Center. Being just below alpine it allows for you to make the most out of this zone no matter what weather it is, sunny or stormy. Add to that the fact that this ski tour starts at 5,400 feet and with a 15 minute skin down road before starting your ascent you won’t be limited to just one run. With a well placed skin track you can find numerous semi open slopes which all head back down to the Valley road. The view of Mount Rainier during this tour is stunning but that is pretty much the case with all of the ski tours based in this zone.
Starting at the Paradise Parking lot make your way East on the Valley road which will be snow covered during the winter months. This route wraps down into the Paradise River Basin before connecting with the Fourth River Crossing trail which is the perfect spot to start ascending. Making your way up lookers right of the main creek and you will soon find yourself in semi open alpine slopes where you need to cut a hard right following the treed slopes all the way up to the ridge loosely following the established trail.
Once on top of the ridge you have numerous options for ski descents dropping down the west facing slopes. If you plan on making a few laps it is worth riding down to and transitioning mid slope in the upper alpine basin before heading back up. Lap after lap just keep to this zone before it is time for your final descent all the way back down to the road. For the exit just retrace your original traverse back to the parking lot making sure you have more than enough time to get out before the gates at Longmire are locked for the night.
To see my trip in the area and more photos check out this link
Written by Kyle Miller
Created By
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