East Elk-West Elk traverse
Trip date: Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Submitted by MaSid
Particpants:
Discussion:
A 2 pass and 6 meadow day, mostly in the sun and no wind! Good to finally get in there and complete the loop. Required the AT skis and skins to make it work though. -10 at 830 to start and -1 on return at 3.
Patterson meadows: Good to go with LT gear.
East elk meadows: The old track through the initial meadow travelled fine. Skins on for the narrow treed/drainage section. Punchy and some wallowing crossing drainages. Easy travel in the final meadow. AT gear recommended currently. Same with the ridge ascent, ridge top meadows and descent to west elk pass through the cut blocks. The crust carried with gentle arcing turns down the cut block. Any aggressive turns were punchy. Only 26-28” of snow at the top of the descent. Construction crews present at the hydroline replacing poles.
West elk meadows: All manner of skis should be fine on the well established track.