journey to valhalla | lichtenberg and valhalla

Lichtenberg Mountain and Lake Valhalla combine into a full-day ski tour from Stevens Pass, linking a south-facing summit with a north-facing powder bowl in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. The route gains 4,000 feet over 9 miles, touching two distinct snow aspects and terrain types.

From the Yodelin lot east of Stevens Pass, the approach crosses Highway 2 and skins up Stevens Road before dropping roughly 200 feet to Nason Creek. The route then climbs through forested terrain, staying low beneath overhead avalanche paths on steeper slopes above. The skin track trends toward Lichtenberg's 5,825-foot summit through progressively opening terrain.

Lichtenberg's summit views are limited, but the skiing begins immediately. An 800-foot descent drops south-facing slopes before the route traverses toward Lake Valhalla. From the lake, skins go back on for the climb into a north-facing bowl on the lake's west side. This bowl holds the day's best snow. North aspects preserve powder or develop cold smoke long after south-facing slopes have baked to crust. The exit follows a gentle mandatory uphill on the road back to the car.

The terrain stays moderate throughout. Slopes are low-angle enough to avoid the worst avalanche paths, though the north-facing bowl and overhead hazards on the approach require avalanche awareness. This tour rewards patience with snow timing: south-facing corn on Lichtenberg in the morning, then north-facing powder at Valhalla in the afternoon.