ski conditions

[mnfry]

I met Ellen and Karen on the 8:00 tram Dec. 28. Dan U. and I turned off the Round Valley Tr. to find the valley north west of the ranger station I learned is called Shangra La. It was a little steep from the trail, but soon opens up. There are great view to the north from several "windows" in the ridge. It looks like there may be short cuts to Cornell and Tamarack. The snow was good in the shade, but had a nasty ice crust in open areas. We headed for Hidden Divide.

We crossed the trail and headed up to the Hidden Divide Tr. We followed that west until it turns south, then climbed the west end of Hidden divide to the saddle between the two peaks. The views south were great!

The trees were shedding their ice lumps in the afternoon sun. They each were surrounded by a collection of glistening lumps of clear ice.

There was still soft snow on wind pack in the trees, so we had a great descent through open forest. We returned to the tram about 3.

I don't think the soft snow will last much longer. There aren't many north facing shaded slopes in the Long Valley/Round Valley area. I think skis won't be much use by next weekend.

Mike Fry
Poway