Its sunny today - at least until late afternoon when the next storm is supposed to roll in. Lots of people playing hooking from work today as there's a conga line of cars headed up Big Cottonwood Canyon this morning to ski in the fresh powder. And slow traffic is fine with me as its a simply beautiful drive. The south facing slopes are powdered up with snow (from bottom to top). Its very steep slopes and along the way I saw many many mico-mini avalanches (snowball-size (or smaller) rolling on down). The pine tree branches are heavy with 2-3 inches of snow. The rocks in the creeks are covered with snow as well. Perfectly pristine - gorgeous!
I get to the Nordic Center (only a few cars in the parking lot) and the mountains are covered in white. Last time I was here, I could still see rocks in the mountains and there was no one skiing on them. The 3+ feet of snow we got in Feb sure made a difference!
As I was changing into my boots in my car. I heard a BOOM!. Thought it was a garbage truck or something. And then there was another BOOM! And that's when I realized that it was just the Avalanche Prevention patrols for the ski resorts at work. And that's why I came to the Nordic Center as the Avalanche risks have been extremely high since all the Feb snow -- in fact just this week 4 BYU students triggered an avalanche while snowshoeing. Three made it out OK, the 4th didn't make it. Very sad.
But the BOOMs continued (in fact for the whole 2+hrs I was here).
Well I paid my entrance fee, put on my snowshoes and headed for the yellow flags of the Lake Loop. But first I had to enjoy the view of the white mountains and the untouched snow behind the center.
The flags are usually just out the door but today they weren't there. I wasn't quite sure which way to go but I just headed in the direction of the lake. I was walking along the edge of the groomed trail for X-Country Skiiing (and you're actually not supposed to) so I cut into the fresh snow. I've never broken a trail before; my shoes were still sinking in a good 4 inches. I was a little nervous about this but it was kinda fun. Things were going pretty well .... until my right snowshoe fell off! Well its too hard to put it on here, I'll just walk back to the groomed trail...my first right step, without the snowshoe, I was over my knee in snow -- then the step with the left, I'm above the snow, then below the snow, above, below....ahhh the trail. Kinda embarassing -- but luckily there was no one around - I think. Put the shoe back on and was getting my pack and all ready when I heard another snowshoer. She was following my brief tracks in the snow. I soon followed.
The lady was from SF. She came out with her husband because there simply isn't much snow in CA this year. Her husband was downhill skiing and she was at the Nordic Center. We were teaming up to break this snow (it's actually hard work!). She stopped for a picture so I continued and came to a dead end at a road. I knew I was off so I headed to the lake and finally saw the yellow markers - yes!!! I could barely see the snow-covered previously broken trail -- the one we were supposed to be on. Oops! Our trail was much more interesting :) (Others will have an interesting adventure if they follow our track.)
The lady caught up and started leading again around the lake. We soon found a half broken trail and followed. I thought we were a little off because we were above the ropes (which if I remember from last time, said don't cross avalanche area) but we continued ( at least we were heading around the lake) until the tracks started uphill. We figured they were downhill skiiers or snowboarders trails. So I blazed a way down the little hill and under the ropes -- which did clearly said "Don't Cross - Avalanche Area" -- BOOM!
Well now we were on the main yellow trail - finally! Met that snowboarder -- asked him how the snow was - "Nice!".
Around the lake we went -- the views at times were incredible. The one tall peak, I could see the snow blowing off the very tip!
A few squirrels moving around -- and many "talking". Saw some tracks in the snow.
The snow covered trees and the sun breaking thru the treetops is beautiful
The snow is melting and starting to fall from the trees creating holes in the snow and wet spots on my head :).
Its soon time to turn around and head back to the Center. I get back to the Cabin Loop and complete the other half. I thought about taking the Solitude Trail now but I had enough for today and took the rest of the Yellow trail back to the Center. The sun is about gone as the clouds (dark clouds) are rolling in -- It's only 12:30 and its looks like snow. Time to scram!!
Had to go past the Alta Ski Resort on my down -- yes, lots of folks playing hooky, the parking lots were absolutely full; further down, the parking for Dog Lake, full. Just out enjoying the fresh spring snowfall!!
Today was great! Breaking snow, fresh snow, snowy mountains and quiet. (Thank-you to the lady that helped me break snow -- definitely helped keep me calm.)
About an hour after I was off the mountain, I could see snowfalling up there. Good thing I didn't try to complete the Solitude Trail.
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