Dec 21, 2008, Ravenna and Cowen Parks Traverse

Been waiting several years for the chance to try this one again, and this time in daylight with first tracks on some of the challenging route. We went in a loop starting in the middle from 20th St Bridge into meadow, crossing ruts from some late night donut driving 4x4's (where were the rangers? isn't this non-motorized area?), and counterclockwise through woods to baseball fields with kick turns down switchbacks that did not seem very wheelchair accessible today, up the creek, getting some legit turns in on a steep side path, and more turns at Cowen sled bowl below kiddy playground. Scoped out some south and west facing glades that will be nice when it fills in a bit more.  Just a few curb nicks and maybe a broken glass scratch on the bases. Back home via 63rd and skied down into the basement garage, avoiding snow shoveling for a good cause.

Snow conditions: silky powder under the trees, but a breakable crust out in the open where we must have had some freezing rain early AM on about 6 inches of fresh. This could be a nasty layer later in the season if it keeps on snowing in Seattle. For the time being, the slabby snow seems safe enough due to vegetative anchors, especially the blackberries and English ivy where the Americorps kids haven't gotten to it. Good day for fishscales with metal edges, and should be nice tomorrow.