Snow returns January 30th

Snow finally returns to the Sierras after over 6 weeks of dry weather

Pine needles on forest floor are again covered with a smooth blanket of white.  Can't wait to go look for animal tracks.

2009 Feb 18 - storm breaks - the sun returns

When is a car not a car? ......when it merges with a 6 foot snowbank. I've started parking right next to the steep bank, so I only need to shovel off one side of the car, then I simply drive away from the snow wall, leaving the previously buried side free of its snowy embrace.

Another morning of shoveling. The blower service takes care of 1/2 of the driveway. We simply excavate the car from the snowbank after the blower comes, and move it to the other bank, then a few hours later the blower comes and does the other side. Pretty neat.
Storm clouds clear and the sun reemerges - along with an odd collection of buried cars. Here, Sean has extracted his Volvo from a snow bank - with the 5 feet of fresh snow still intact on the roof. It all fell off before he got out of the parking lot (and we had to shovel it away!!!!)

The winter wonderland is visible again. Skis make no sound as they glide through the light powder. Trees release their cargo of snow - held up precariously by the overloaded branches. Whoooomp!

However, the sun brings the temperature up and icicles grow from the massive Royal Gorge roof. We need to rope off the area around the eves and the snow and ice slides off mid-afternoon right into our corralled safety zone.



Diane misses a right turn in the trail, and careens into the loose snow trailside. This excavation required removing both skis and rolling counterclockwise until she reacquired the packed trail. Doing otherwise just resulted in her sinking deeper and deeper into the soft snow deposits.

Feb 16 - Seventh Day into the storm cycle

After a long day on the slopes, I came home and dug out the first floor doors and windows. Now, over a week into this storm cycle our first floor is completely under snow except for near the front door, where the snow removal service helps us out. Here is a view out the back door - trying to keep a fire exit clear enough to open the door and step outside - beyond the alcove, the snow is well over my head now.

Sean and I work to make some room for the groomer to pack down snow beneath the surface lift at Royal Gorge. We were wallowing up to our armpits off the side of the lift path - Sean's victory stance is as he managed to free his upper body from the drifts.

Mirkwood forest, with snow blasted trees - testament to the fury of some of the nighttime blows. Gusts have been up to 80 mph over the ridges, but actually here in the deep forest, is usually much calmer.

View of the house this morning on my way to "the office". That's the second floor deck you are seeing. Below that, it's all ice age and packed snow. We can step off the 2nd floor decks right onto the surrounding drifts.

2009 Feb 12 Castle Peak / Andesite Peak with David S. and Jeff K.

- Google Earth route map

Remember, you can click on any picture to enlarge it.

We head up the traditional Castle Valley trail - fresh snow ago - breaking trail.

This is from the base of Andesite Ridge on our way to Castle pass.

Ridge rocks on the west ridge of Castle peak above Castle Pass. Jeff kept us moving forward as the alluring slopes below this saddle beckoned. Let's see - ski down champagne powder, or break trail upwards.... we choose to continue upwards for greater rewards.

Rimed crumholtz bravely survives on the ridge. Beautiful day.

We carefully try to pick a protected line climbing the ridge. Can't ski down if you don't climb up. Weather has begun to arrive, but we continue upwards...

Jeff rips off the summit ridge. Happy man.

Skiing down Castle Peak to Round Valley. Can you find Waldo?



Done with Castle Peak - we follow the lower ridge to Andesite Ridge and Andesite Peak.



Traveling along Andesite Ridge.

2009 Jan 21 - Crows Nest Ridge - Broken Binding

Its been mid-40's for two weeks now, with a rain storm predicted for tonight, so before the January corn snow is ruined, we thought we'd venture out to some new terrain. With a maceral sky all about and a storm expected we take care to pack and prepare carefully. Even though we'll ski in thin clothes our packs are stuffed with shells, sweaters, extra mittens and goggles.

After studying the map and wandering around here for 6 weeks straight now, we decided there was a great untracked ridge leading almost straight from our house to the summit of Crow's Nest, a peak on the ski boundary of the Sugabowl ski resort. Since it's mid-week and Royal Gorge is closed, we planned a route through National Forest land staying off any groomed trails.

Literally across the street from our house, we climb the steep snow bank at the roadside and enter the woods. Here in the sub-alpine at 7,000 feet, the trees are widely spaced and of a reasonable size. The forest is a mix of cedar, doug fir, and pines. There is sufficient snow coverage to bury all but the bigget windfalls. We look at the rise of the land, and point the ski track uphill trying to stay directly on the growing ridge, or just to one side or the other. In short order, we get a clear view of our destination, Crow's Nest Peak - some 1,500 feet higher and clear of any trees. A quick conference with the topo map confirms we can just ride (climb) the ridge upward and we should achieve our goal.

We slowly wander upwards through the thinning trees achieving the open ridge after about 20 minutes. Here the view is astounding - below us is the Van Norden Lake and surrounding meadow - and in the distance - snow peak and the Royal Gorge of the American River. Ahead and up the ridge we can see Mt. Lincoln, and the actual Donner Summit pass - opening to the mist and inverted haze clinging to Donner Lake far below. Then suddenly as Diane skied over a wind blown snow ridge, she felt a sudden liquidity about her boot and looked down. Her binding had ripped down a fold. You can see it here in the picture. This type of binding is known for failures like this. We had inspected the bindings just yesterday and they had shown no sign of fatigue then. Oh well....

We talked over our options, and the day still being young, Diane opted to tie the skis to her pack and head back down the tracks we had come up. I would continue up the ridge. The weather was holding off, so we were not so concerned. On the ridge the snow was well compacted, so she could walk easily without post holing. Once the slope became steeper, and faced more to the south west however, the going got a bit tougher. We stayed in phone contact every 30 minutes, and within an hour and a half, she was back at home sipping tea.


The snow is very well consolidated now, with over three weeks of warm weather, a week of heavy wind and no precipitation. These cornices along the ridge would otherwise present some risk, but today we could stomp right on the rim with no sign of weakness, or fracture.

This picture is looking back the way I had come up. The white opening is winding diagonally down left to right is the ridge I followed on my way up to Crow's Nest. The big white flat area to the rightof the ridge is Van Norden Lake and meadow another 800 feet below.

The south wind blown sides of the ridges are melted out and you can clearly see last fall's dried plants exposed at the snow's edge.

This picture is of Mt Rowton in th foreground, with Snow mountain in the far background - see posts from a few days ago for some pics from climbing Mt.Rowton. This is the south eastern face with some great ski runs down the left ridge and on two ribs that extend down separating the open slide paths. The approach can be made from the end of the Ice Lakes, at the termination of the unplowed county road, or from the State Forest approach we took today along the Crow's Nest Ridge.

2009 January 7th - Ski Tour to Castle Pass and beyond to Peter Grub Hut

Creek bed on the way to Castle Pass

Castle Peak from the meadow. The snow fields below the rock bands are all skiable.


Wind blasted trees after a cold wet storm

Same grove a few days later after warmer temperatures

Sliers selecting routes on Castle Peak from the pass. Approach to the summit is made from the north shoulder (left side). There are some great runs over the left shoulder dropping to the lake below.

Peter Grub Hut - partially buried. Entrance is through the ladder to the door on the 2nd floor. There is now a solar panel which powers some 12 volt lights. Basin Peak is in the background.

Lenticular cloud over castle pass. The storm blew in the following day.

2008 December 30 - Royal Gorge

Wind swept tree and rocks at Point Moriah - looking over the Royal Gorge of the American River.

Devil's Peak from the trail on the way to Point Moriah. Between here and there is Palisade Lake - a private block of land with summer houses.

White Mountain and the Gorge. Very inticing, but a long ski away. Maybe someday we'll get all the way over there.

Who is buried under here?


Ice Rime on the trees.

2008 December 26 - Mt. Lincoln Storm Results

We skied at Sugarbowl on the 26th, the day after a cold heavy storm blew itself out. There was still a strong wind over the passes, but you can see from the trees how wet the storm must have been. The skiing was fantastic, light snow, all filled in.

At last some of the gullies are filing in and the mountain is finally skiable.
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Fresh tracks all day.

Wind still carrying snow over the ridges.

08March15 – Donner Summit with Ed & Eva

It always seems odd to be getting dressed in ski clothes with the flowers blooming and the spring time morning aroma hanging in the morning mist. The bags are all packed by the door and the open cooler is patiently awaiting its payload of goodies to help us make it through the ordeal ahead. We jump in the loaded car as others are grabbing their morning papers and headed off to work – except instead of driving west into the City, we drive east towards the mountains and the rising sun.

By 11:30, the temperature has dropped 30 degrees, there is over 15 feet of snow carpeting the winter landscape, and the cold wind is buffeting us and the car as we strap on the final layers of outerwear and ski gear in preparation for heading out into the blizzard for the day. At 6,500 feet, the clouds have lowered and have completely engulfed us. Heading north from Route 80 at the Norden exit, we follow the forest service road, untracked north towards Andesite ridge. The storm continues to swirl around us but the skiing is excellent. This is always the way, here in the Sierras – the best snow always in the eye of the blizzard. The trees are loaded with a fresh blanket of snow that already was sitting on top of the precipitation from two weeks ago. Along the steeper slopes I can sense the distinct sheer layer where the new snow sits atop a sun baked crust which in turn protects a very well consolidated springtime snow pack. In the gullies the accumulation is greater, and beneath the trees where the forest floor has been protected from direct sun, things are much better held together and consistent.

We’re already right at the ridge by 2:00 but the blizzard decides to drive us back below tree line. We traverse along just below the wind line at the top of the ridge seeking out this glorious ski line back to the meadow below. Here the large trees are widely spaced, with few small branches at eye level. The surface is consistent, except for a few open areas in exposed meadows where the wind has played havoc and left its well baked ridges. Finding the way would be easier from the top of the ridge, but the wind slab and pelting snow crystals just 50 feet higher makes that way a second choice. Soon we are linking turns and long traverses down the mountainside and remembering why it is we trudge so doggedly up the hill in the first place.

Saturday morning it takes us at least ½ hour to dig our way out of the house to the parking pad above, where another 20 minutes frees the car from its overnight entombment in the fresh snow. The almost windless morning has left a sparkling crystalline coating on the unblemished slopes. After parking the car by the Ice Lakes Lodge trail head we immediately head off-trail down the county road following the drainage from Serene Lake to the American River thousands of feet below. A quick turn off the road takes us to the old bridge, now almost completely obscured by the heavy snowpack. We are breaking trail slowly but it does not matter. Its quiet in the woods this morning, not even the woodland creatures have ventured out to leave their tell-tale tracks in the snow. Once or twice we cross pine martin tracks, but otherwise the woods are silent. Within 30 minutes we rejoin the trail system having bypassed both the climb and rapid decent of the Sunnyside trail. The storm returns in stages along with segments of bright sunshine. We continue out to Moriah Point with a short tea break at the warming hut just as the grey sky explodes into a full snow fury. We continue on past the warming hut as the weather front passes and get a glorious view of White peak and the Royal Gorge before turning back. I zip the flaps and drop about 1,000 feet off the point, the smooth snowy blanket tempting me unrelentlessly to continue downhill. In the snowy recesses of the back of my mind I am thinking that with each turn down the slope I‘ll need to heave myself back up through the drifts to the ridge above, but I can’t stop. Eventually the trees close in on me and there are no more turns free without a tree pruner so I stop to catch my breath. Pulling my skins out of the pack I radio up to the rest of the group that I’ll be along shortly and they head back to the hut to wait for me out of the storm.

Sunday breaks cold and clear with air temperatures in the mid-20’s. We follow the route of the old Sterling Canyon trail, breaking trail up the steep mountain slope. The views and at each turn are astounding as we gain elevation. We stick to the tress to avoid the biting wind which is building in from the southwest. I wonder why the resort has abandoned this trail in favor of other more benign routes. Perhaps it was harder to groom, or perhaps it is just like all the others, but in route finding on our own, and making smaller more considered turns closely following the bends and folds of the terrain it feels more intimate. We cross the main trail briefly, then continue up the ridge to Lola’s lookout. Now the wind has built to a furious roar and we carefully pick a route protected now from the north. The accumulation and drifting of snow on the ridge show a testament to the regular scouring by the relentless wind. The volcanic outcroppings along the ridge are brutally cracked and shattered by eons of abuse by the water and wind. None-the-less, we continue upwards drawn by the blue patches in the sky and the dramatic scenery. Now, on the ridge we are no longer protected and mercilessly the winds saps our heat. Still we trudge upwards. Occasionally stopping because the wind is preventing any more forward motion. At one point Edgar is blown off his footing and lands in a drift. Eva ducks and huddles, back to the wind, not knowing how to move forward. We make a quick decision and duck back into the trees on the leeward side of the slope and are almost immediately relieved of the wind’s strain. Hoods down we can converse again without yelling. Taking a quick survey of the terrain, we pick a good line and descend back down the mountainside through the open meadows and widely spaced trees. The snow is good here, light and consistent. In only a few minutes we are back on the lower trail and duck into another nearby warming hut for lunch.

Sadly after lunch we point our skis downhill and by 2:00 are back art the car, unstrapping packs, mittens, and gear like western gun slingers entering a saloon. By dinner we are back in the land of blooming trees and lush green hillsides. Again, it seems odd to be shuttling loads up the flower lined staircase to the house wearing mud encrusted crusted boots from the mountains. I empty my pockets onto the dresser with the detris of a weekend out – half finished bags of M&Ms, crumpled maps, loose peanut crumbs, and occasional small bits of woodland vegetation, having hitchhiked in the folds of my coat and cuffs of my pants.

(Notice the last picture shows my hack from last year to the Yakima rack which permits a full size roof top box to be used on a hatch back car without impeding the function of the hatchback. Any of you with hatchback and roof top boxes or ski racks know exactly what I'm talking about here. Contact me if you need details for how to make your own GetMyHatchBack !)