May 10, 2005, Black Mt., Virginia Lakes Rd,Sierras
5/10/05
US elsewhere
2927
2
May 9 was a storm day in the Sierras. We lounged in our campsite near Tioga Pass in a wind protected area. We had winds at the crest forecasted at 100 mph and snow showers. It snowed at our campsite most of the day. We visited the Mono Lake Visitor Center then drove to the Virginia Lakes road at Conway Summit at 8138 feet. Everyone said the road was closed about a mile from highway 395. As we turned onto the Virginia Lakes road, the winds were gusting and the van was definitely being affected. After the first mile the ROAD CLOSED sign appeared and we just drove by it. At the hairpin turn, we could see that the snowplow crew had to cut through the drift in 3 separate tiers and the drift was about 20 feet above the van. As we continued, the wind and snow created whiteout conditions but we kept heading west. The snow drifts varied from a couple feet to over 10 feet in places as we continued. I was amazed that the road was cleared. We continued past the Pack Station to the end of the paved road which is 6 miles from Conway Summit. Fantastic. If the storm abates by morning, it could be a powder day.
May 10, 2005 The sun was shining, there was a cloudless sky and it was calm. Listened to Howard S. weather forecast at 7:50am. Mammoth had received 18 inches of snow in the storm, the freezing level would be around 7000 feet and there could be late afternoon snow showers. Yes, yes, yes, a powder day in May. We drove back to Conway Summit and had a pleasant drive to the end of the road at the Trumbull Lake campground sign. I must admit that the Virginia Lakes area is one of those special places for me to ski tour. The trailhead is at 9700 feet so you park the vehicle and put on the skins and go vertical. You also have a variety of peaks within site Mt. Olsen at 11,068, South Peak at 11,300, Black Mt at 11,797, Dunderberg Peak at 12,374, plus numerous bowls, chutes and glades. This is a wonderful place to tour and enjoy being ABOVE GROUND AND BREATHING.
We parked the camper at roads end next to a 10 foot snow bank and headed towards Black Mt. The snow was POWDER. We looked at the enormous bowl between South Peak and Black Mt. and it was wind sculpted, with cornices, and looked like a death trap. Two days ago it was probably a great corn bowl but the recent storm created an invitation for an icy tomb. Jill selected a skin line that crossed Red Lake, gained a treed ridge and meandered upward along the ridge isolating us from the bowl. The snow was powder in the trees and wind affected on the ridges. We could see a couple of natural releases in the bowl with what appeared to be a 2 foot crown. When we reached the top of the treed slope of Black, we ripped the skins and hop scotched our way down the gully towards the lakes. Yes, it was powder in May. Boot deep and forgiving and oh so sweet. Do it again. Back up to the top of the treed area and over to another gully. In the distance we could see the snow showers had arrived down valley, yet we were still in the sun. The second run was even better than the first. We meandered our way down the gully around the widely spaced trees and onto the frozen lake for a quick glide to the camper. Today was another perfect day of skiing in the Sierras. We are spoiled. We headed for our campsite near Travertine Hot Springs and a pasta dinner with a couple of cold ones. Zap & Jill
May 10, 2005 The sun was shining, there was a cloudless sky and it was calm. Listened to Howard S. weather forecast at 7:50am. Mammoth had received 18 inches of snow in the storm, the freezing level would be around 7000 feet and there could be late afternoon snow showers. Yes, yes, yes, a powder day in May. We drove back to Conway Summit and had a pleasant drive to the end of the road at the Trumbull Lake campground sign. I must admit that the Virginia Lakes area is one of those special places for me to ski tour. The trailhead is at 9700 feet so you park the vehicle and put on the skins and go vertical. You also have a variety of peaks within site Mt. Olsen at 11,068, South Peak at 11,300, Black Mt at 11,797, Dunderberg Peak at 12,374, plus numerous bowls, chutes and glades. This is a wonderful place to tour and enjoy being ABOVE GROUND AND BREATHING.
We parked the camper at roads end next to a 10 foot snow bank and headed towards Black Mt. The snow was POWDER. We looked at the enormous bowl between South Peak and Black Mt. and it was wind sculpted, with cornices, and looked like a death trap. Two days ago it was probably a great corn bowl but the recent storm created an invitation for an icy tomb. Jill selected a skin line that crossed Red Lake, gained a treed ridge and meandered upward along the ridge isolating us from the bowl. The snow was powder in the trees and wind affected on the ridges. We could see a couple of natural releases in the bowl with what appeared to be a 2 foot crown. When we reached the top of the treed slope of Black, we ripped the skins and hop scotched our way down the gully towards the lakes. Yes, it was powder in May. Boot deep and forgiving and oh so sweet. Do it again. Back up to the top of the treed area and over to another gully. In the distance we could see the snow showers had arrived down valley, yet we were still in the sun. The second run was even better than the first. We meandered our way down the gully around the widely spaced trees and onto the frozen lake for a quick glide to the camper. Today was another perfect day of skiing in the Sierras. We are spoiled. We headed for our campsite near Travertine Hot Springs and a pasta dinner with a couple of cold ones. Zap & Jill
Nice read, Zapster, and
HIGH-FIVE on the picture post.
I knew you could do it. ;)
HIGH-FIVE on the picture post.
I knew you could do it. ;)
I'm jealous.
Reply to this TR
Please login first: