Jan 11, 2010 Skiing Canyon Peak Basin

January 11, 2010 at 21:11 | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Don and I headed up Canyon creek today for a tour. With no specific objective other than to reach the high basin and enjoy a day skiing we were not disappointed. Some snowshoers had broken trail to the first lake and we traversed high on the north side of the lakes to reach a col into Blodgett canyon. Nothing inspiring there so we continued up the drainage and summited the middle peak of the three on the divide with High Lake Creek. The weather was moving in so we had little time there. What a beautiful view of Blodgett Mountain and the surrounding high peaks, just what we needed on this el Nino low snow year. From the high point we made a great long moderate descent to the middle lake and then back to the trail and the scary ride out. The snow was settling fast between 6000-7000 feet where we left the inversion and warming aloft was having its effect. From the basin at 7000′ we enjoyed supportive and fast trail breaking conditions. The snow is well settled there and on low angle terrain was maintaining its character and shallow powdery condition well. We had a super enjoyable ski from about 8800′ to 7200′. The trail skiing out was challenging as usual but fast with the steep gradient and packed trail. Maybe some old avalanche activity on slab rock, but nothing obvious. Some point releasing on south facing steeper terrain.

Canyon Peak

Canyon Peak from the north

Skiing the mellow long run