April 13, 14, 2005, Sasse Ridge

This trip to Sasse was the last from the valley floor I think, and that was more than I hoped for a month ago.  Packed the skis to ~3300 feet where there was just enough snow to ski on. At my usual campsite at 3800 feet, the snow depth was down to about 6 inches, no new since last week. On Thursday started up the hill about 6 am on nice hard snow as there was a good freeze overnight with a low of 24 deg. By 4600 feet new snow that fell during the last week started to accumulate getting to a depth of about 4 or 5 inches at 6000 feet. Unfortunately it was wind blown, sun crusted; 'less than ideal'. Made it to 'Ladybug' 6080'+ just north of Jolly Mtn, blowing, 19 degrees, in the cloud at that point. I'm still packing almost all my winter gear (groan) and I needed the stuff. On the other hand, when the sun came out back at the tent, it was a different world.   As for spring skiing, the current snowpack seems to top out at maybe 2 and a half feet around 5700 feet. There may be hope yet!

Larry