11 replies to this topic

[Igloo Ed]

The snow conditions in the mountains have turned to spring conditions with a hard base making travel very easy early in the day and heavy wet conditions later in the day.
SkiBudFrank and I went up towards Andrews Pass and had fun looking for an alternative route other than my standard backcountry route. Other than finding our way through tree stands and traversing a few slopes, it really didn't matter much where we went as the snow was solid everywhere.
We made good time up to the Andrew's Creek Campground area and got some great views considering that it was snowing most of the day.
Frank was pretty happy about the snow conditions as he was skiing and would have a blast going back down:

[Igloo Ed]

The snowfall backed off at times giving us views of the clouds hanging on the peaks:


Looking across the canyon and up the canyon that holds Sky Pond wasn't really looking like spring but it was a beautiful day anyway:




I found a dead branch with snow hanging on it to be interesting:


Some twenty years ago I had visited this spot and saw a porcupine in a short tree and wonder if he wasn't responsible for this chewing:




On the way down, Frank did have a blast skiing the great spring conditions but I struggled a bit with my snowshoes in the heavy spring snow and Frank ended up waiting for me a lot but we still made it back to the parking lot by 1:30.

[soatley]

Beautiful pictures, but not very Spring-like.

Sandy O

[Igloo Ed]

soatley, on 24 April 2011 - 09:26 AM, said:

Beautiful pictures, but not very Spring-like.

Sandy O

Indeed, the depth of the snowpack and the falling snow made it look like winter but the sun's heat shinning through the thin clouds told a different story. I took off my hardshell and gloves early in the day and still stayed warm and dry from the heat of the sun.
It'll be a late spring for dry trails.

[Rhonda]

DEEP Spring, Indeed!

Ski Bud Frank looks like an ad for REI in that picture.

[Mark Zemmin]

Great pictures. Sounds like a fun day!

Mark

[Igloo Ed]

Rhonda, on 24 April 2011 - 09:50 AM, said:

Ski Bud Frank looks like an ad for REI in that picture.

I don't know where he picked up that shaving habit.

[dianeh85]

aaaahh memories... of hiking with Ed last spring and snapping both my poles in the deep wet snow! Can't wait till spring!!!


oh yea! How was the wind?

Edited by dianeh85, 24 April 2011 - 02:01 PM.

[Sanborn]

Ed, thanks for the pictures! I haven't been up there for a few weeks. It hasn't looked very nice the few opportunities I've had to get away. I've also lost my interest in snow pants, layers, hats, gloves..... I guess I'll have to wait a little longer for t-shirt weather.

[John]

Wow, I really love this series of shots. Looks like a very fun day!

[reeves]

Those are beautiful shots. They look much better than what we have here. It has been cloudy and rainy since thursday night. Temps. only in the mid 50's. When you can get outside everything has a squish sound to it. Plus all the storms around especially in St. Louis. Our son & daughter-in-law live 1 mile from the airport and didn't even have a limb down in their yard and their power stayed on. so those pics are a lot prettier than here. Just heard a goose fly over I think he is looking for sunshine too. Would gladly send this rain to Texas.

[Aaron]

Rhonda, on 24 April 2011 - 09:50 AM, said:

DEEP Spring, Indeed!

Ski Bud Frank looks like an ad for REI in that picture.

Rhonda, that is funny

--Aaron