May 12, 2007, Bean Creek Basin

Headed up Bean Creek basin today

The trail is mostly snow free and hike able until about 5000ft (about the point where the trail 1391.1 re-crosses the creek and heads up toward Earl peak.   Snow coverage above this point was pretty solid.  There was a snow bridge across the creek at this point -- we skied across it on the way down.

The 1st creek crossing at about 4200ft required no-wading -- just a little tricky log walking and a step-across.

The snow conditions were enjoyable -- the top few inches of the north and east facing slopes below "Mary Peak" were fairly soft, due to some fresh snow that has fallen earlier in the week that had not yet fully consolidated.    The south facing slopes below "Bean Peak" were firmer -- but still had decently smooth corn and not mush when we skied them in the afternoon.

Back at the trailhead we talked to a couple of skiers that had ascended the Beverly-Turnpike trail to Iron Peak and up there met another skier that ascended Iron Peak from the NF Teaneway river road -- which was drivable to just below "Camp Wahoo"  approx 3900ft.  The returned with the other skier via Eldorado creek and reported being able to ski to within 10 minutes of the road along Eldorado creek.   It took them 20 minutes to walk the road back to "Camp Wahoo"

Here is a link to a video

http://soapbox.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=c5cb9d78-fa11-45f9-8696-003f9f1ed627