February 15, 2007, Mammoth Crest, CA
2/15/07
US elsewhere
2232
2
When Paula and I left Oregon, the 10-day forecast for Mammoth Lakes was spring-like conditions with no hope for new snow. The weather report was so grim that I brought my cycling gear and almost left my ski gear at home. But, good fortune fell upon us (literally), and during the weekend of the 10th-11th, it snowed ~30 inches of dense wet Sierra cement, followed by 2 days of cool weather and another 6 inches of "slightly lighter" snow. This is/was the first (only) significant storm for Mammoth this season.
The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center was reporting faceted snow above and below a December rain crust. Scary backcountry conditions were predicted as a result of the heavy new snow on top of the facets and rain crust. So, following the storm, we enjoyed 3 days of fantastic area skiing. See "Charging With Chucky" on T Tips for a visual on the powdery Mammoth area conditions.
We headed out from the Tamarack XC trailhead at a leisurely 10 am. A local at the trailhead advised that Mammoth Crest was a better bet than the Sherwins (they looked virtually dry) and that a group of 5 locals were 10 minutes ahead of us and headed to the Crest. It would have been difficult/impossible to find our way up there without their uptrack since they took a different route than described in any of the guides.
2.5 hours from the trailhead and we were at the top of upper TJ Bowl (aka "Child's Play"), which has a NNE aspect. There was lots of activity when we arrived, and the folks who broke trail were getting tracks on "Upper TJ Bowl East, Plus," just under the cliff band near the top of the Crest. The ride down was on either "silky Sierra powder" or "dense Sierra cement" depending on who you ask. 5+ hours RT with a lunch stop and no re-runs.
Pics:
1. Paula crossing TJ Lake, with TJ Bowl proper straight ahead and our final destination above. The uptrack was in the trees to the left.
2. Paula entering upper TJ Bowl.
3. Paula practices her balance in the dense Sierra cement.
The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center was reporting faceted snow above and below a December rain crust. Scary backcountry conditions were predicted as a result of the heavy new snow on top of the facets and rain crust. So, following the storm, we enjoyed 3 days of fantastic area skiing. See "Charging With Chucky" on T Tips for a visual on the powdery Mammoth area conditions.
We headed out from the Tamarack XC trailhead at a leisurely 10 am. A local at the trailhead advised that Mammoth Crest was a better bet than the Sherwins (they looked virtually dry) and that a group of 5 locals were 10 minutes ahead of us and headed to the Crest. It would have been difficult/impossible to find our way up there without their uptrack since they took a different route than described in any of the guides.
2.5 hours from the trailhead and we were at the top of upper TJ Bowl (aka "Child's Play"), which has a NNE aspect. There was lots of activity when we arrived, and the folks who broke trail were getting tracks on "Upper TJ Bowl East, Plus," just under the cliff band near the top of the Crest. The ride down was on either "silky Sierra powder" or "dense Sierra cement" depending on who you ask. 5+ hours RT with a lunch stop and no re-runs.
Pics:
1. Paula crossing TJ Lake, with TJ Bowl proper straight ahead and our final destination above. The uptrack was in the trees to the left.
2. Paula entering upper TJ Bowl.
3. Paula practices her balance in the dense Sierra cement.
Great to see your report. You definitely took the shortcut. When Jill and I did it in 2005, we went the looooong way. The snow pack sure looks "light". We plan to drive back from Taos and Santa Fe in mid March along 395 and hopefully a "Fantastic February or Miracle March" will descend upon the Sierra.
Did you go into Rock Creek Canyon ?
Did you go into Rock Creek Canyon ?
No, we didn't make it to Rock Creek Canyon, but I definitely want to explore more--there is so much with relatively easy access. We plan to return next year.
I don't know whether the route we followed was the standard "locals" route, or the low snow alternative. The route described in Moynier follows the summer hiking route up the ridge north of TJ Lake. Although the pic makes it look ok, TJ Bowl proper isn't skiable--there is just enough to cover the boulders.
The locals we talked with said they need another 5+ feet to make the backcountry anywhere near normal. Hopefully it will dump just before you get there!
I don't know whether the route we followed was the standard "locals" route, or the low snow alternative. The route described in Moynier follows the summer hiking route up the ridge north of TJ Lake. Although the pic makes it look ok, TJ Bowl proper isn't skiable--there is just enough to cover the boulders.
The locals we talked with said they need another 5+ feet to make the backcountry anywhere near normal. Hopefully it will dump just before you get there!
Reply to this TR
Please login first: