Habeggar's Glades

 Winter at last! Most seasons I have to schlep up to Mammoth for a month or more before there's enough snow to ski above Bishop. Not this year.

After the big snow I elected for a mellow tour without significant avalanche hazard. The Habeggar's Glades fit the bill. 

A glorious morning for sure. Left the car at 830, 10F. Trailbreaking proved easier than I thought, although still not easy.

Love me some Mountain Mahogany in the snow - as long as I can ski around it and don't have to go through it.

This is what the glades looked like. The bumps are all bushes - or almost all. They were best avoided as they were often hollow and could throw me off balance. The snow was great otherwise. Bush slalom.

Across to Table Mountain. No slides except some small ones left of center barely discernible here.

Took three runs and called a day. A heck of a good day.

While this zone could use more snow, it's a great start.
 

Beatty Mountain Biking

I spent the last couple of days out in Beatty mountain biking with my old pals Brian & Brian. We got together and camped at Spicer Ranch (free camping, donations accepted, hot showers) which was great.

There are several trailheads at the ranch, so we chose one and headed into the hills.

Brian and me.

Rolling into the wild blue yonder.

It's wide open desert out here.

The trails we rode were generally rolling, well graded and just plain fun.

The ranch holds several springs feeding ponds and patures.

The camping is in the grove of trees center.

Water seems to emerge everywhere.

Burro city.

 Special trip with special friends.

Owens Valley Bike Tour

Rather than continue to try to ski in rather thin and hazardous conditions, I figured I'd go for a bike tour and take my mind off snow.

I ruminated for a good bit on where to go, eventually settling on a tour down, then up the Owens Valley starting and finishing at our home.

I decided to add a twist by hiking Crater Mountain on the way up to the McMurry Meadows.

Little Pine Creek and big mountains.

Fine views up valley from the summit of Crater Mountain.

I camped next to Fuller Creek. Nice setting.

I took a dawn stroll up into the meadows. Mt Tinemaha.

Birch Mountain

I rolled down valley via the Black Rock Spring area.

Eventually finding a splendid campsite next to Symmes Creek on Foothill Road.

Evening clouds and rays. That's big Mt Williamson on the left.

Shadows of the giants play on the valley floor.

Next morning's sunrise was stunning.

Got rolling pretty early.

After a super fun descent straight down to Manzanar I crossed 395. Looking back from whence I came.

The aqueduct. That's Los Angeles' water. Keep out.

Sierra vistas along Stevens Canal.

The historic Kearsarge Railroad stop.

I then headed north along the base of the Inyo Mountains.

Fantastic strata above the old railroad grade.

Mud flats make for pleasant cruising.

I set camp at the base of this cinder cone.

Another early morning start, heading toward the Tinemaha dam.

The sun started to break through as I passed Tinemaha Reservoir

Becoming bright and warming a bit further north.

 

Another two hours of riding and I was home. Still no snow in the forecast. I might just have to go on another soul satisfying bike tour!

More Early Season Skiing

Reports from Mammoth Mountain were encouraging, so Mary and I decided to ride lifts yesterday. We were not disappointed. 

We found good snow, great weather, and moderate crowds. Very enjoyable.

That's me. There isn't a ton of terrain open, but what is open has decent coverage.

Mary. Somehow this run always skis well.

Today I got the itch to check out the scene above South Lake. The crest bright and early.

Long Lake and Mt Goode.

I kept hoping I'd round the corner or ascend a bench and the coverage would improve. It never did. I turned around here at Spearhead Lake.

Long Lake. The summer trail had filled in and provided a nice route through the talus.

Islands and ice. I heard an incredible ice song here. Two sharp cracks followed by a long descending pitch moan, ending in a gurgle. Loud enough to echo through the valley. Thrilling!

The Inconsolables back and Chocolate Peak right.

The only turns of the day. Sketchy.

Cruising the flats was pleasant though.

As I descended the patches became less continuous. Skis on, skis off. Bushwhack. Skis on. etc. It got a little tedious to be honest.

Final descent. Wasn't anything to brag about but it beat walking except it too was patchy!

 Pretty much a walk in the hills with skis on my feet. A good day nonetheless. Got to brush up on my funky terrain skinning technique!