Nov 19, 2010, Skyline Ridge, powder, sun and quiet

Jim and I went up to Skyline Ridge this morning expecting clouds and snow showers.  We got sun, light breezes (barely) and the whole area to ourselves with fresh snow.  We took the road up to the second radio facility then traversed back to the lake.  Climbed up from the lake to the ridge to just east of the point straight north above the lake.  Skied down a track headed NE that wound around a bit before stopping where the coverage of rocks got worst.  Climbed back up a second track had a bite to eat then skied this track (a N facing track).  Snow on the way up to the ridge was boot top to a little higher powder.  Down the tracks it was above boot top to knee+ powder with a few spots that my pole went ALL the way in with out any force.  Despite the deep fluff there's still lots of logs and rocks ready to snag the unwary.  After regaining the ridge we headed down to the lake then down below the first radio shack keeping skiers left to avoid the really steep stuff.  In those south slopes the snow had thickened up by the sun and coverage started to get thin enough that the bushes became a pain in the butt so we took the road back out.  No stability issues seen anywhere.  Just amazingly good snow and weather.