Rad snowkiting 45 minutes from Hood River!

buttersmoothcarver · Since 08 Oct 2008 246 Posts Stoked

Ok, I know......Just when your completely over this long ass winter, some rockstar will post more dangle pics of another epic snowkite session from UT, WY, MT, ID creating "wish you were there, envy". Unfortunatly, around HR we don't have ideal conditions during Winter months, however there are a few "party spots", and when the weather clears and Spring like conditions kick in. IMO, the snowkiting around here is still so untapped, good, and easily accessible. So grab, your big backpack (so you can carry all your gear) , get on Google earth, and hike/tour/sled in and its all yours until late May/June. FYI, this spot ......Go on strong westerly gradient, check Goldendale for clear skies and double digit flow. Go early enough so you can hit Rufus on the way home, Good Luck!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Nice find Brad!

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

Yeah Brad. Those shots came out great.

The spot where Brad is riding is called Indian Rock. It is a super sweet spot. A 5 mile long ridge that faces southwest. It can handle wind from any direction but SW to NW is best. It is at 5,000' so it has plenty of snow. Indian Rock is the highest point in Klickitat County. To access it, go north on Monument Drive, which is about 5 miles northwest of Goldendale, WA. When you get to the "Monument", continue north on the dirt road for 3 miles. Take a right on the on the Dead End road. Drive until the snow gets too deep. Hike, skin, or sled from there. It is 2 miles from the right turn to where you kite.

This link gives the hourly wind speed of nearby Grayback Mt. The speeds correlate closely to Indian Rock. ie, yesterday when Brad and I where up there the readings were WNW 18-22.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mesowest/mwmap.php?map=pdt

Today might be a great day for the double. Indian Rock - Rufus. Any one want to hit it?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Score

buttersmoothcarver · Since 08 Oct 2008 246 Posts Stoked

Few more pics

Chooch · Sat Apr 30, 11 9:04 am

2 Mile hike in sounds worth it for the goods. Way to get after it and thanks for the beta!

jac1313 · Since 10 Nov 2007 36 Posts Gresham

So I went exploring today and decided to check out Indian Rock. I must have made a wrong turn somewhere because I never quite made it there. What exactly is the "monument"? The ridge was obscured by clouds so I'm not even sure if there is much snow left. I just started to see some patches of snow at around 4000'.

Nak · Sun May 22, 11 1:58 am

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!!!