-- Tom's Trip Reports --: May 2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Sundance 053015

Buddies Sandy and Bob met Cheryl and Tom at the CMC at 7:30, then it was off to Rocky Mountain National Park to meet up with Chris at the Beaver Meadows visitor center. Even then, we wondered what our destination would be as Trail Ridge Road was still in overnight closure at 9:15. Finally we heard that they had just opened the gate, so we combined into one car and headed to Sundance after a stop at the toll gate to get my $10 lifetime pass.

The snow coverage above treeline along Trail Ridge Road was simply amazing. There were towering snow cuts through the drifts, and practically no bare spots. The Rock Cut parking area by the outhouses was almost empty, and snow covered the fence and trail into the bowl. Temperatures were in the 40s with light winds which increased to 10-20 mph at higher elevations.

Start skiing at the car!

The fence is mostly buried.

We skinned from the car through about half an inch of fresh powder over a firm but forgiving crust. We skied to the first rock formation, only to see that the usual de-skinning area at the 12,310' point was off in the distance. We continued on to the 12,310' point, and were amazed to see that Sundance Mountain was totally covered in snow. Fresh tracks prompted us to ski down into the gully and up the slope to one of the peaks along the Sundance ridge to top out at 12,400'.

From there we de-skinned and headed down the long slope to about 11,500'.

As usual, we were down before we knew it, and it was time to skin up the long, long slope to get back to the top.

We did 1-2 more runs, then climbed up the usual route to return to the 12.301' point. With some kick and glide, we were able to make a couple turns and ski down to the car.

After dropping Chris off at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, we headed back to Golden with a stop at Tibet Kitchen for momo dumplings and noodle soup.

2-3 runs / 2000' - 2900' / 6 hrs

Route in red shows Saturday's trip.

Blue route is an old trip.

Pictures:

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Current Middle 110s 051615

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.