Warm and Windless

Hello Skiers,

It was very warm on the mountain this morning and continued through the day. Temperatures climbed into the high 50’s and may have even found the 60’s. There was little, if any, wind making the need for warm clothing unnecessary.

No wind today

Skiing accessed by the High Traverse was closed today. The same was true of Beaver and Estelle Bowls. Snow conditions were extremely soft in these areas. Deep mushy conditions existed in many areas. This does not mean all slopes had a poor surface. Groomed slopes were smooth and creamy first thing in the morning. The first runs on corduroy were delightful. This was true of Soar Flare, Tower 23, Alpine Bowl and Wolverine between 9 and 10. Sherwood held up a little longer. The main run had been groomed and was good corn snow until too many people had skied it. Off Piste I found the snow to be poor. Deep slushy mush existed on the South Facing slopes. We tried Sherwood Face and ended up traversing out of it to avoid the muck.

Mushy snow off Scott Chair

 

We transferred to Lakeview and Scott Chairs before 11. Outer Limits, Mountain View, Bobby’s, and Ridge Runs were nicely groomed. The surface exhibited a couple of inches of lovely corn snow until at least noon. Follow the sun and hope it freezes overnight.

Mountain View Trail

A friend of mine road the new gondola at lunch time. She purchased some food at the lodge along with a drink. I have said many times a good use of the gondola is to have a quiet enclosed place to eat lunch. Her first impression was that there were no cup holders in the gondola cabins to place a drink. It seems obvious that people would be riding the gondola with a drink in there hand at times. Just an observation to pass along to anyone thinking of taking a drink along with the ride to, or from, either valley.

Quick reminder: Alpine will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays beginning this Monday.  Take your ski equipment out of your locker if you want to ski the other valley on these days.

Yesterday we skipped skiing in exchange for a hike that I like to do annually. The hike is known as the Steven’s Trail (originally knows as Rutherford Road). It was a toll road in the 1870’s. This Historical Trail linked Colfax, a railroad town, to Iowa Hill where lumber and gold were being mined.

This sign is at the beginning of the trail and gives the user a good history lesson

The trail drops about 1550 feet from Colfax to the North Fork of the American River. The trail is approximately 4.5 miles each direction, we hiked to the first access to the river that is just short of the end of the trail. For this time of year it was a typical hike. Wildflowers were putting on an exhibition in color.

Typical trail path with Poppies on the hillside

Lunch along the North Fork of the American River gave us a chance to dunk our feet into a raging river.

North Fork of the American River

 

Waterfall along the way

 

Stonecrop or Forever Living

Washington Lilly

 

Rosebud Trees were in full bloom

 

North Fork of the American River was our destination. Large Leaf Lupin were blooming along with the Poppies

A good portion of the trail is exposed and becomes a pretty hot hike back out of the canyon, but it is worth the effort. This is a hike that can be done driving to and from the Bay Area as it begins just off Highway 80.

A warm weekend is ahead to be followed by a light snowfall next week.

Enjoy your day,

Andy