Searching for sunshine......
Trip date: Friday Jan 06, 2023
Submitted by MaSid
Particpants:
Discussion:
....on a misty meadow ski tour.
-6 in the parking lot on arrival at 9, -2 on return at 2, so no meltdown in south PLPP today, but warmer further north. The elk pass cloud was in place so headed up blueberry to start the day seeking some sun. Found it, but only briefly.
- Upper blueberry meadows: Put in a new track, easy trail breaking with ankle ski pens. It’s not an afternoon gig for sunlight given the proximity to the turret and mount fox. Meadows aren’t that open (slowly getting filled in with tree growth), but there are good views at the end where it widens out (LT gear recommended). The entrance is at the “easy” sign just below the final hill up to the summit (and it is indeed easy).
- Lower blueberry meadows: No new travel on the track from several days ago and was partially blown in. Ankle ski pens (LT gear recommended).
- West elk meadows: Another party had been through and looked like they had refreshed the track all the way to the hydroline? Which is great. All manner of skis work in the existing track, to and beyond couch HQ. Large pole baskets still come in handy.
- Patterson meadows: Boot top ski pens on the just visible old track.
Caution descending Patterson grooming. Removed a tree, but still some debri across the trail (a flatter portion of trail luckily).