A Week in Ely

This last week I went to a couple of recently visited zones and checked out an old favorite.

First off, I toured up into this area to see if I could have a look at that cool slot left center. Unfortunately I needed to travel under steep, slabby slopes to get there, so I didn't quite make it.

 

Was a fun outing nonetheless.

The open areas were wind affected, but the edges skied well.

Next up was a scouting mission in the Egan Range. This is a popular destination. Both times I've skied here there have been other tracks. No one skiing here now!

Since there was obviously no chance of skiing, I put on the hiking boots and went for a stroll. Views of Wheeler Peak out over Steptoe Valley.

Looking north to Ely.

These slopes hold potential if there was a lot more snow.

The main goal was to check out this canyon, especially the long arcing line from upper left down into the shadowy canyon. Looks cool! Needs more snow for sure.

Yesterday I elected to go for more of a sure bet in the Schell Creek Range.

Another Aspen zone just south of the one I skied last week.

Not sure what's going on here. The snow was much deeper around  this spot, but quite shallow below this huge dead snag.

Sure enjoyed the sweet Aspen bliss.

A little wind affected up high, but delightful lower.

We're suffering here with a serious lack of snow, but I'm making the most of it!
 

Back to Ely

 Upon return to Ely, I went out for a short tour to assess conditions. Pleased by the quantity not so stoked on the quality. The wind had apparently blown pretty fiercely here resulting in a mix of wind board, breakable crust, and soft faceted snow. To make matters worse a couple of inches of new snow had fallen quite recently, so there were no visual clues as to what I was skiing on.

 Pretty day though!

A couple of days later I got motivated to go back looking for more sheltered areas to ski. I had never been back here. Low and behold, the wind affect wasn't too bad - even nonexistent the bottom half.

Sweet views back towards North Schell Peak.

Limestone cliffs line the slopes here. Most of the snow on these open slopes was wind and/or sun affected.

Happy with the coverage and not deterred by the crusts, I decided to check out an Aspen zone close to the trailhead.

An alley!

Nice snow. Incredible setting.

Had such a good time I went back again the next day. It went from bluebird to graybird. Colder too, but got higher and enjoyed a nice long run in Aspen bliss.

Good views up canyon.

Down canyon too!

 It's on! So glad to be skiing in my home mountains again.

Road Trip

 Resurrecting the blog after a quiet stretch. I took a road trip earlier this month to do some skiing, visit my sister, and see some red rock country.

 First stop was Eagle Point Ski Resort in central Utah. It's a quiet, family resort in the Tushar Range. Hopped out of the car and enjoyed pleasant groomers for a couple of hours.

Next day I went for a tour exploring the "sidecountry." Found a little ridge holding decent snow. Low tide, so had to proceed with caution, but good fun nonetheless.

Day 3 I spent riding lifts during a small storm.

Most of the runs looked like this. Good skiing along the edges though.

Squalls moved in and out all afternoon, improving the skiing a bit. Storm totals seemed to be in the neighborhood of 4". I'll take it!

 

Skies cleared at sunset. Enjoying the scenery from the deck of my cabin.

More lift skiing day 4. Great corduroy and pleasant leftovers from yesterday's storm.

Next stop was Flagstaff to visit my sister, then on the way back home I visited Snow Canyon State Park just outside St. George.

The Navajo Sandstone here is capped by basalt.

Wandering off trail I stumbled across these "Moqui Marbles", iron oxide concretions that formed when mineral rich water seeped into the sandstone.

 

Parting shot before heading to the truck.

 

So great to get some quality red rock time!