NE FACING BOWL | WING RIDGE | WALLOWA MOUNTAINS | OREGON | UNITED STATES

All Locations>>UNITED STATES>>OREGON>>WALLOWA MOUNTAINS >>WING RIDGE >>NE FACING BOWL
NE FACING BOWL
NE FACING BOWL
Date Created: 01/24/10
Last Updated: 01/24/10
Ranking:Good
Avalache Terrain Rating:Simple What's This?
Hardest Difficulty:Black what's this?
Average Difficulty:Black what's this?
Skiable Vert:2500 ft
Climbing Vert:2500 ft
Top Elevation:8700 ft
Trailhead Elevation:6200 ft
Ascent Mileage:3
AVG Ascent Time:1.5 hours
Ascent Type:Skin
Trees:Nicely Spaced
Slope Aspect:Northeast
Steepest Section:35-45 Degrees
Slope Type:Ridge, Bowl
Exit:Clean
First Descent:
Nearest Town:Joseph, Oregon
AVG Snowfall:300
Snowpack:The Wallowa Mountains are on the fringe of the maritime snowpack, so the snow quality can be variable between Cascade-like heavy wet snow to light, fluffy Jackson Hole cowboy powder depending on the storm track. A storm tracking in from the southwest will bring lots of heavier snow while lows that blow down out of the Gulf of Alaska can bring light dry fluff. This creates variable annual snowpacks so do your research before you head out.

Highlights

Nice skiing, beautiful terrain, and little traffic. The vertical is nice and there are many options to choose from depending on snowpack and weather conditions.

Ascent

Drive from Joseph, Oregon to the Salt Creek summit sno-park. From the parking lot, cross the access road to the west to the Wagon Trail trailhead (USFS Road 3920). Immediately, there are three options, a road cut to the right, one center, and one to the left. Go straight up into the trees and follow the road cut up and cross contouring through a burn that is grown in with dense conifers. Eventually the road slims down to a trail (Wagon Trail -- USFS 1828). Follow the contour around the ridge crossing two creek drainages. After the second crossing, turn to the west and start the climb up Wing Ridge. Follow the contours of the ridge and gain about 1200-1500' of elevation. About 3/4 of the way up the train breaks out of the trees and onto the more exposed ridgeline. There is still some cover but the wind may become an issue here. Most of the routes down drop off to the right (north/ northeast).

Descent

We dropped off the ridge about 300' short of the top of the bowl where there is a rocky outcrop and a nice slot below the rocks that drops down into the trees. This shot starts somewhat flat but then rolls into a nice run that is wide open. If snowpack conditions are questionable, the shot is bordered on the downslope side by well spaced trees that may offer protection. There are also several well defined safe zones that can be used for a safe descent. After reaching the bottom of the main shot, there are nice turns through a lightly treed, 20-25 degree drainage down to the skin track (see photo).

Access/Permits

Oregon sno-park permits are required to park at the Salt Creek summit sno-park. Funds from these permits are used to plow and maintain sno-parks for winter access.

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All Locations>>UNITED STATES>>OREGON>>WALLOWA MOUNTAINS >>WING RIDGE >>NE FACING BOWL
People die skiing in the backcountry every year. Avalanches, crevasses, trees, human error, weather, tree wells, rabid sasquatches, among other things can kill you in an instant. Use this guide at your own risk, we are not responsible for any wanker getting all wanked up in the wankin' backcountry. That being said, even the most experienced backcountry skier can get caught off guard. Take avalanche classes, carry a beacon, probe, shovel and avalung AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. Just because you buy them, doesn't mean you get magical powers of invincibility. Many people who own beacons have no clue how to operate them. More importantly than any gear you can buy, you need to know how to safely travel in avalanche terrain, minimize potential hazards, and interpret how weather affects the snowpack. This requires time and experience. Learn from others, be safe and courteous, and when in doubt go home and live to ski another day. The amount of snow needed to be dug up to rescue a buried victim, on average weighs right around an actual ton. In North America 25% of victims die from hitting trees, rocks, and other sharp unforgiving surfaces. It only takes one miscalculation to have the mountains kick your ass. Just because you see tracks or someone else skiing a line, does not mean you should ski it. Remember, individual actions affect all of us. Take care of each other out there, we are all on the same team.