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Cabin Fever! (Part 1)
Report Submitted by Mike W
(trip) Date: Tuesday Apr 23, 2024
Submitted: Wednesday Apr 24, 2024 at 19:17
Participants:
Me on my Sporten Explorer 64 "Cabin" Special Edition skin skis
Discussion:
After skiing to Stoney Creek, Cuthead, Little Pipestone, and Tobermory cabins this winter, I succumbed to yet another episode of Cabin Fever by heading out to Palliser Warden Cabin yesterday. It was my first time in the Upper Spray Valley. I was the only car in the Mt. Shark parking lot when I pulled in at 9am under sunny -4C skies and a moderate northerly breeze. My "late" start (compared to Diana's 8am that day a couple of valleys further south) meant that the icy tracks on the Watridge Lake trail had softened up a bit. The snow at the trailhead was about 10cm deep, increasing to 50cm near Watridge Lake. The best skiing was on the smooth crust along the edge of the trail.
Total distance: 33.30 Km
 Watridge Lake trail
Beyond the Watridge Lake junction, the steep descent to the Upper Spray River was in the shade and still hard frozen, requiring liberal use of my metal edges to control speed. After crossing the bridge over the Upper Spray, there was no more sign of old ski tracks; just a trench leading south. Accordingly, I shortened my poles to 15cm and carried on.
 Looking up the Upper Spray
 FTT - Follow The Trench
After a few kilometres I was able to escape the trench and enjoy the crust on an open meadow with a view SW to Mt. Currie.
 Looking SW to Mt. Currie
Other than a few sun-exposed spots, snow coverage was good.
Upon reaching the Whiteman Pass junction, I headed east and crossed the river over a couple of bridges.
A few kilometres further, you get a second chance to head to Whiteman Pass.
For the last 2km to the cabin the Spray River meanders through a meadow. Earlier in the winter one can leave the trail and ski entirely on the meadow to reach the cabin, using snow bridges to cross the bends in the Spray. Unfortunately the river was now completely open, periodically forcing you onto the summer trail until the river bends the other way.
After a leisurely lunch at the cabin, I headed back to the car.
 Heading back north in the meadow near the cabin.
The return trip was much faster than expected. Probably due to the gentle descent on the return, a tailwind, and the snow being a bit more slippery. The crust was holding its strength with only the top 1cm softening up. Even the ascent from the Spray back up to Watridge Lake, which I had been dreading all day, was no problem due to the softer snow providing great grip. I casually checked my watch when I reached the Watridge Lake junction, and realized to my horror I was going to contravene MaSid's "ski for twice as long as you drive" rule. Evidently I should have doubled my speed driving the Spray Lakes road. But it was too late for that now. I had no choice but to go on a second trip before returning to the car. To be continued in "Cabin Fever! (Part 2)".
1 comment(s) posted
Comments:
2024-04-24 at 20:12 - comment by SkierRoger
What a wonderful report, Mike!
Such great information that provides the motivation to get out and see it in person.
I love the juxtaposition of snow against all that greenery.
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