Buddies Judi, Bob, Cheryl, and Tom gathered at HH at 8:00 to ski the Middle 110s of Current Creek on Saturday May 16, 2015. Departure from HH was only slightly delayed by the detour on Heritage Rd, and the drive up to the Current Creek trail head went smoothly.
Detour options for Heritage Rd (Jeffco 93).
Weather was sunny and very warm at the start, with temperatures in the 50's in the sun and a recorded high of 42°.
A warm and sunny sky over Mines Peak.
The predicted high temperature on the NOAA weather site was for 29° and snow, so the buddies had to shed some layers to keep temperatures regulated. There was about an inch of wet powder on a semi-solid base at the trailhead, and the buddies made the climb to the north to peak 11721' on the eastern part of the ridge between Current and Second Creeks.
Heading up to 11721'.
Snow conditions were great at the top, with the same inch of wet powder on solid crust. At the slope break, conditions changed to what Cheryl called breakable mush, with the surface snow and soft crust giving way to a lower layer of sugar corn saturated with water.
Water-saturated corn in the pole holes.
Cheryl and Tom stopped at the aqueduct, while Judi and Bob ventured 100' lower.
Judi and Bob skin up from below the aqueduct.
We trudged our way up to the top and during a stop for a snack and de-skinning, we heard our first thunder as the storm pushed its way in from the south and east.
Enjoying a break at the top. (Photo credit - Judi)
With dark clouds looming, we skied off the peak to the south. After coming out above a large bare spot on the south facing hill, we angled west into the trees by the Upper 110s, and made our way down to the aqueduct.
There we found another stretch of bare ground, with no way around it but to take off our skis and walk down to the next patch of snow. From that point on, we found continuous snow cover, albeit heavy, saturated corn. Despite the description, we were able to make some turns if we were willing to make the needed commitment to carve the stuff. Bob and Judi lead the way through some tight trees and past an unexpected rail feature until we emerged in a familiar bowl just above the main Current Creek. The weather brought us some fresh snow and graupel.
What's this doing here?
Cheryl and Judi enjoy the fresh graupel.
After an uneventful crossing on a sturdy snow bridge over the creek, we followed the creek down to the old road, then back to the car.
More fresh snow at the car.
We headed straight home after the trip.
2 runs / 5 hours / 1400'.
Ski track in Google Earth. Uptrack is to the left of Teacup Bowl and the downtrack is at the edge of the Upper 110s.
Topo map of today's track in red.