South Schell Peak

 Before giving South Schell a go I tried my hand at South Ward. I drove up Sawmill Creek until the road was blown out, much lower than I had hoped. The hiking looked pleasant enough though, so why not?

Came across these cool pine needle mounds on the snow.

When, at last, I got to continuous snow it looked like this. After nearly two hours of hiking, I was over it. Not really disappointed because the hiking was real nice. Good to get a feel for the lay of the land in here too.

Yesterday I elected to go where the snow was deeper, the hiking straightforward, and the drive easy. North Fork of Berry Creek to South Schell Peak.

Early on the hike water was flowing everywhere and spring was exploding!

After about 40 minutes the peak came into view.

The old road/trail led to continuous snow up through this forested section before busting out into open high country.

Ski terrain! I went up and down the chute/bowl left.

At the top of the bowl with view to the summit. Dropped the skis near the top of the snow and hiked fairly miserable loose talus the last 500' or so to the high point.

It was brisk on top with a steady wind. Snapped a few shots and boogied down. Looking north along the crest to North Schell (bare, right).

Southwest toward the Egan Range.

East. Dry Yelland Lake and Mt Moriah

I found good skiing at the top of the bowl on softened northeast facing slopes, the chute was still firm, but the runout zone skied well. Just soft enough.

The forested section was fun too. Tight and slow before emerging at the snow tongue which persisted for a good ways.

End of the skiing.

Ski/scree boots.

 Pretty low ratio of hiking to skiing, but felt good to ski, great to summit. Is it over?

North Schell Peak Ski

 I've mostly been riding lately, but Saturday I got the itch to go check out the spring skiing conditions. Originally intended to go for a short tour just to get a handle on things, but the travel was easy, the snow was softening slowly, and I felt good so I found myself heading to the summit of North Schell Peak - the high point of the Schell Creek Range.

 Morning views on the way up.

Looking south along the spine of the range. Wheeler Peak in the distance left.

Attractive line dropping east from the crest looking north.

The summit from the gentle col northwest of the peak.

The snow was cooked to perfection. Long, moderate descent. Great fun.

The road is driveable to the trailhead although a bit rough. Then an easy 20+ minute hike on a use trail through here to/from the snow.

 Woah. A little recon tour turned into a memorable outing!

Another Winter Blast

 We got another taste of winter here in the Ely area over the weekend. Prior to the cold front rolling through we got a big blast of southerlies, then a good dose of cold snow. 6" to 10" in the Schell Creek Range.

I couldn't resist, electing to try a line that was my first here in the Ely area two years ago.

Driving was relatively easy and I was on the snowy access road right away.

After some tedious, dense forest skinning I was cruising up these open slopes.

Made good time and quickly found myself on top with some fantastic looking glades below.

There was a touch of sun affect, but by hugging the trees it was minimal to nonexistent.

Sweet limestone.

For the exit I decided to forgo the dense forest and skin up to the road. This is the view of the run from the there. Skied well top to bottom although best high where the snow was cold and light.

Lots of walking on the way out though as the afternoon sun quickly melted the new snow.

Small price to pay for good turns! Cool to revisit the spot where it all began for me here in the Ely area.
 

Looks like a solid warm up in our future. Might have to get serious about hunting corn.