Hammil Cirque

Another day in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. I wanted to get up into the alpine territory above Hammil Lake and see what kind of damage recent winds did to the snow.

There's something about winter forest scenes I really like.

The terrain above Hammil Lake.

Nice alpine scenery.

The cirque. There was a boot pack up to the col. A bit tempting but alas no.

Poor light but great rock formations.

The view down from my high point. "Interesting" skiing on a mix of breakable crust, windboard, and wind eroded soft snow for a few hundred feet.

This zone actually skied quite well.

Evidence.

I was a bit surprised how much the winds affected the snow lower in the trees. What had been nice soft snow on Tuesday now has a crust. Only the most wind sheltered areas still held good snow.

To make things worse, warm temps were creating heavy, sticky conditions below about 9500'.

We need another storm!

Tree Skiing in Mammoth Lakes Basin

Went for another tour in the Mammoth Lakes Basin today. Working up the gumption to try other zones, but I know the coverage is good here and the quality is hanging in there too.

Crystal Crag over Lake Mary.

These sheltered glades held great snow.

Views back toward the Hammil Bowl area.

 Last Saturday's playground in center.

Goofy shadow pic.

Blue Crag on left.

Big views!

Skied this little chute during one of my runs. Scratchy in the throat.

But nice below.

Splendid above too.

Lots of wind affected snow in open areas, but the trees skied great.

Skiing below Blue Crag

I got up bright and early to ski up in the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

The Hammil Bowl area.

Mammoth Mountain and Lake Mary

Was fortunate to follow a skin track up to a nice saddle near Blue Crag.

 Great views to the west.

and to the east towards Duck Pass.

Had my eye on these lines, but played it conservative and did a little meadow skipping instead.

Found good skiing in here with 6"to 8" of light, cold snow over a denser base.

Blue Crag

Someone made it up Blue Crag Couloir.

Also enjoyed a fantastic run off the right shoulder of this little peak.

Gorgeous day. Tapped a rock or two, but can't complain since it's still just early December.

While we may be lacking a bit in quantity it's made up for in quality!

McCloud Lake Ski

Today I went for a short tour from Twin Lakes to the slopes above McCloud Lake in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. 

The sun poked out briefly as I started

Snow sculpture.

The Sherwins above Horseshoe Lake.

Twas a gray day at McCloud

Did a couple of fun runs in here. 

McCloud from above

Loving the winter scenery!

A bunch of Coots and a duck or two feeding at the last remaining opening on Twin Lakes.

The snow is still terrific on all but the sunniest of exposures.

Red Cone

Yesterday was one of those special days when it all comes together.

Great snow, brilliantly crisp weather, and a great crew added up to a truly memorable day.

Ben and Ann follow the skin track just above Lake George.

Despite our leisurely 10:30 start, there were only four tracks in the bowl when we arrived.

Transition!

Ben enjoys.

Ann too.

 
Skin track into the sky.

Great views back to the ski hill.

Headin' over  to the funnel above the chute.

Ann snapped this pic of me entering the chute.

Ann exits.

Best first day ever!!