Mike Tanner, Doerte, and Mike left the Washington Alpine Club Guye Cabin parking area at 8 am after visiting a bit with Pat O’Brien and Dave Brown.

We headed up in the snow, keeping to the left on Sahale Ski Hill. It felt good to be out, even if the weather was overcast and cool.

Commonwealth Basin is such a beautiful area anytime of the year. I especially like it when it is alive with melting snow and flowing water. It is about a mile up the creek before the turn to the Guye-Snoqualmie Saddle. From Cave Ridge we climbed the South Shoulder, kicking steps. The snow was very soft and was starting to slide. The cornice along the east side of South Shoulder was beautiful, and everyone stayed well away from the edge.

We were the fourth party of the day on the summit, and had occasional views of the Tooth, The Chair, Lundin, Red, Kendall, and Thompson. The Mountaineers arrived a little later, but were a bit shy about enjoying the summit with us. The Washington Alpine Club groups were off on The Tooth and Lundin. May is a perfect time of year to do Mt. Snoqualmie. It snowed a little while we were on the summit, but it felt warmer than below.

We were back at Guye Cabin at 4 pm. We had a leisurely 8-hour day. 3,100’ elevation gain, and about 7 miles.