October 27, 2012, Heliotrope Ridge, Mt. Baker

A group of 7 from the Alpine Club of Canada made a day trip to America last weekend in pursuit of high trailheads and cheap beer. It had been snowing in the mountains all week and we were anxious to kick off a new season.

The road to the trailhead was snow-covered for the last mile or so but Golfie managed to get us there. Skinning conditions on the hiking trail were marginal at best (opted for boot hiking on the way down). We were in rain until near treeline, then it was all wet snow and fog from there.

Not knowing the area particularly well, we took a stab at putting in a skin track to the upper slopes off Heliotrope Ridge. Worked out pretty well, as we ended up on a nice smooth slope that must have had summer snow underneath. About 30 other people and a few dogs followed us up - the weather was not to dampen the spirits of these skiing enthusiasts.

Vis was poor (terrible for photography) but the snow up high was pretty nice - very turnable cream cheese. Farther down it became sloppy goo with lots of sharks beneath. No one got hurt but a couple of skis did. We beat it back down the trail and on northward, with a stop in Sumas to pig out on Mexican food. Thanks for a good day, America, and good luck this Tuesday!