Current Creek Halfpipe 041214

We encountered challenging snow conditions near treeline, but the warm weather held to soften the snow below treeline.

Tom and Nick enjoy the warm weather at the Halfpipe ridge.

Nick and Mike met with Cheryl and Tom at the HH section of the Woolly Mammoth parking lot at 7:30, and we quickly loaded up and headed up to Current Creek. The warm weather during the past week and the forecast for powder later in the weekend ensured low traffic, even around the Idaho Springs Twin Tunnel detour for the eastbound widening construction. The snow stake showed a snow depth below 6 feet, and at the trailhead, the parking lot was down to dirt with temps in the mid-30's.

Down to dirt at the trailhead parking lot.

We skinned up and headed up the trail. It was tough to decide on a destination. Would the sun come out and soften the south-facing slopes? Was there a chance of preserving the powder in the trees on the north-facing slopes despite temperatures of 45° during the week? The clouds looked pretty thick, so we headed up the trail past the Peter Rabbit cabin.

Still some snow at the cabin.

Lured by the appearance of powder in the trees, we ascended the gully to the aqueduct, then up the steep slope to the Halfpipe valley. 

Leveling out at the top of the steep above the aqueduct.

Heading up the Halfpipe valley.

Once we got into the Halfpipe valley, the snow was mostly crusty, with a little bit of softening with the sun and warm temperatures. The predicted snow was pushed back to the afternoon, so we enjoyed the weather while it lasted.

After coming up to the top of the Halfpipe ridge, Cheryl and Nick went down the valley, while Mike and I skied down the ridge to find the "hidden" gulch that we saw on the climber's left on the way up. We were hoping to find some old powder lurking in the shade, but we had to break through some crust to find it.

Cheryl climbs out of the valley to Halfpipe Ridge. 

On the second run, we all skied the valley, though Mike and I went higher up the ridge. I shouldn't have watched "Your Inner Fish" on PBS last week, because I turned into a flounder on the valley floor crust. I totally forgot how to ski on breakable crust. Everyone else adjusted to the conditions. Mike put on a great crust clinic below.

Mike gets ready to ski off the ridge. 

Mike shows us how its done.

After 3 runs, we were done and headed down towards the aqueduct. At the lower elevation, the temperatures were warmer and the snow had softened. Mike took this rare picture of me actually skiing.

I finally remember how to ski.

We made it down from the aqueduct, past the cabin, through the trees, and down to the trailhead and on to Tommyknockers. At least I got good parking.

Where to park at Tommyknockers?

Stats: