Table Mountain

Today the weather forecast was warm and with yesterday's tour in my legs I elected to go for a short early tour.

Yesterday Ann and I noticed a steep gully system that led to nice looking glades. I know an old ski bum who used to hit this zone frequently. In fact the only other time I've been here was with him. Must've been close to twenty years ago!

Straight up from the parking on the South Lake Road.

The upper part of the tight gully system. Skinning wasn't too bad. Ski crampons were helpful here and there but not a necessity.

Just above the gully the wide open terrain greeted me. I enjoyed good skiing here.

Looking south. More steep glades.

Ridgeline bliss.

Took a couple of panos with the phone. Jawbone Canyon left, Bishop Bowl center.

North to the big Owens Valley

Paiute Pass and Bishop Bowl.

The view up from the car. My route was in the gully system to the right.

Zoomed.

Got to the car around 10:20. None too soon as anything with a hint of snow on it was getting very soft quickly. Shady north facing was still skiing well, but even that was getting a little heavy.

Looking forward to skiing here with some fresh snow.

Tyee Area

Hooked up with my good friend Ann today and headed up to ski up near the Tyee Lakes in the South Fork Bishop Creek drainage.

Took this photo of the zone last week. We skied the little slash through the trees in the shadow far left.

This zone had the best skiing on the way down and the easiest skinning on the way up.

More of the cirque with the fine corn run far right.

Looking down canyon and out into the Owens Valley.

Some somewhat strenuous skinning led to ....

the ridge where we basked in the warm sun and soaked in the nice views.

Ann scrambled up to get the best vantage.

The skiing in the chute itself was good fun. Ann.

Me

But the best snow was found in these open glades. Ann

Me

The egress was a bit arduous.

Sticky snow made for heavy skis with each step requiring a big effort. Fortunately we were close to the road where we once again glided down the track.

Another awesome day! 

Thanks for the pics and the good times Ann.

Bishop Bowl Again

Was a bit unimaginative today. With yesterday's skin track in, I figured I'd make a run for the summit.

The skin track was a little filled in due to the winds, but definitely easier than breaking trail. The skinning in the little trees below the summit was surprisingly easy while hiking/stumbling the last 150' or so in the loose, snowy talus was surprisingly hard. Alas I arrived at the summit. Oh the views!

Took a couple of panoramas with the iPhone. Click on them for a better look.

Skied this nice bowl about 500' below the summit.

A little dense due to the winds, but skied well. The lower glade actually seemed better than yesterday while the moraine is starting to cook and is becoming a chore to ski.

Spectacular day! Always feels good to stand on a summit.

Bishop Bowl

Skied up on Bishop Bowl today. Yesterday one of the avalanche forecasters and a buddy were up here and had to turnaround near the left knob on the skyline due to deteriorating weather. No deteriorating weather today!

Gratefully used their skin track for a good ways but veered off to the right to ski the big glades.

Basin and Tom

The big valley

I reached the north ridge just shy of 11,700'.  Love the big views of the Piute Crags and Mt Emerson. It was quite brisk here though, with gusty north winds and temps in the low to mid 20s. Didn't linger.

Another big valley shot from the ridge.

The glades skied really well. In fact I found good snow right from the ridge.

 Had to head back up for another! Metronoming it.

 Snow was a little thicker here but still quite good.

The moraine is a bit of a chore to get up. Steep with some firm spots. The usual. The descent of the moraine was better than expected as those slopes really didn't get too warm today.

Splendid day in the mountains!

South Fork Again

I noticed some nice mellow terrain across the canyon from me yesterday. Got home and checked the maps and decided to give it a go.

Left the road here at these meadows and headed east.

Big lines!

Painted rock. Tyee Lakes area behind.

Surprised to find this pretty meadow up on Coyote.

and nearby mining relics.

Great snow in these glades.

And astounding views at the top.

Zoom shot to Mt Gilbert. Lots of snow up there. There will definitely be a corn season this year!

The descent involved some good snow and some bad snow. At least I was early enough that the bad snow was supportable. Temps were rising quickly by 11am and I imagine this zone became bottomless mank in no time.

The skiing may have been so so, but I very much enjoyed exploring a new zone and drinking in those fine vistas.

South Fork

Skinned up the South Lake Road to check on conditions after the big storm.

The morning started a bit overcast and cool. Tyee Lakes area.

The skies gradually cleared though. Brown Lake area.

Skinned up these mellow slopes.

Turned around as the slope steepened due to avalanche concerns. Fun skiing.

Nice views too.

The snowpack is going to take some time adjusting to the new load. Dug a pit. Results and other observations here.