Crater Lake 12.31.11

 

A baker's dozen skiers from the Valley of the Rogue in Southern Oregon enjoyed spectacular views on the West Rim Drive at Crater Lake. The 3-4 inches of new powder was crisp at 10:30 AM with 18 degrees and stayed dry throughout the day. Bright clear skies gave us wide vistas and except for a few windblown icy patches in the gaps, the snow was great. The meadows below the rim road provided an excellent place for some downhill turning practice. Wizard Island peeks out in the background of this group at the Watchman Overlook.

Billie Creek 03.16.11

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Twelve skiers from the Rogue Valley took advantage of last night's snowfall in the Cascades to ski Billie Creek. The camaraderie and conversation were great as we headed up the east side of Billie Creek and later down the west side. A variety of weather and snow conditions greeted our group. We encountered slightly heavy snow to start and lighter powder as we climbed. Skies varied from a bit of blue to cloudy and dark with heavy snow starting at the lunch stop for about half an hour in the middle of the tour and graupel near the end. Trail breaking was easy and the run downhill was fast and roly poly due to the melting of the past week.

Mt Ashland 03.09.11

What a fine late winter day on Mt Ashland. We climbed up a ridge overlooking Grouse Gap then traversed down into the Gap and toured the Grouse Gap Loop. As you can see, the views were spectacular. The snow was soft on the sunny slopes and quick on the shady parts of the trail.

Volcano Express, Burton Butte 02.26.11

Smiles were in abundance as 35 skiers from the GPNSC and SONC toured the Volcano Express around Burton Butte. Thanks to intrepid trail-breaking by an early arriving SONC crew and GPS skills of our SONC tour leader, all the skiers enjoyed a wonderful outing. The snow conditions were excellent with the foot of new powder making the downhill run through the trees maneuverable and fun for all. About 3/4 of the skiers went up to the meadow near the top of Burton Butte and had a sunny lunch with views of Mt Shasta, Mountain Lakes Wilderness and Buck Lake.

McLoughlin Trail 02.23.11

Ten skiers from the SONC and GPNSC skied the McLoughlin Trail in excellent conditions. With a firm base and 6 inches of new snow the crew had a great time heading up the Canal Trail and then down McLoughlin through the old growth. A highlight of the tour occurred on the McLoughlin Trail about halfway to the Summit Shelter. In the midst of chatting about seeing wildlife in the backcountry and remarking on the profusion of fresh rabbit tracks, we saw two rabbits: a big one and a little one.

Then we spied a weasel chasing the smaller rabbit round and round, The big rabbit tried to lead the weasel away, but the chase continued even as we reluctantly decided to ski on. What a true life adventure. Next, we were happily greeted at the shelter by Ranger Paul, who had already warmed the place up with a fire in the wood stove. What a lucky day!

Lollipop Loop 02.16.11

Seventeen skiers from the Rogue and Illinois Valleys took advantage of the lowered snow levels and recent snowfall to spend an enjoyable day at Fish Lake skiing the Lollipop Loop. The eight inches of new snow provided many of the crew turns at trail-breaking. Light flurries, some blue sky and occasional outbreaks of sun added to the nordic magic.

Burton FLat Ski 02.12.11

What a great spring ski day up at Pederson Sno-Park. Ten skiers showed up to take advantage of the corn snow and gentle rolling terrain on the south side of Pederson. The more open tree plantations, wider trails and corn snow provided a quick glide. Icy conditions were avoided early in the day by staying in the sunny areas. Most of the crew skied about 8 miles in the Burton Flats area for an enjoyable day in the Cascades under bright blue skies.

Happy New Year 01.01.11

Cold temperatures and new powder greeted two groups of skiers from GPNSC and SONC as they skied the West Billie Creek Trail on New Year's Day. Thanks to some heroic trail-breaking on New Year's Eve from a cohort of 5 skiers, some of whom spent the weekend at the Lake of the Woods Resort, there was only about 3-4 inches of new powder for the larger group who started from the LOW Marina to get through as they skied up West Billie Creek. Another group parked at the Fourmile punch-out and went up the Fourmile Lake Road and then down West Billie. Great glide and good control made for a fine ski, but the fresh snow depth made it necessary to stay in the track. What a wonderful way to start the new year. If you've not skied the trail system north of Hwy140 from the Summit and Fourmile Sno-parks you owe yourself the treat!