Newton creek crossing is always a question, so here it is…
The thin snowpack gave due caution to preserve ski edge and base, but coverage improved sufficiently about halfway up the ridge about 4800 elev giving confidence skiing would be worth it, there is just barely enough snow base. Once in the saddle, we set a bearing for the top of Elk Mountain. I was under the assumption there is a vista here, but none to be found maybe because of the blizzard, or maybe because we did not hike out to the tip of the finger protruding but we did make it to the top of the mountain proper on the edge of the burn. Here we explored the terrain a while on ski’s, I noticed a huge gendarme guarding over us that does not show up on the topo map. What other secrets to be had in this area, I look forward to learning more… with plenty of 35/40+ degree pitches, rock outcrops, burned forest this is calling my name.
Onward along Bluegrass Ridge trail to its high point... the day was blistery cold and exposed to wind-chill biting through our best softshells. The weather so far had been 24° and off and on blizzard snowfall conditions, but once on the ridge proper gave way to brief patches of blue and sun affording a glimpse of Lookout Mtn and Gunsight Ridge calling us from across the valley far below us. Much to my surprise at the high point of the ridge are fresh ski tracks descending the E/SE aspect… their skin track stopped here proving an out and back mission with an impressive climb straight up the ridge.
We didn’t waste time in the blistering wind to peel and take a ‘shortcut’ to the elk meadows trail below for our return home.
Growing tired and sore from breaking trail all day, I turned my GPS back on to navigate quickly to the shelter waypoint. A poor reception gave me a reminder to never lose my map and compass skills as we missed the shelter completely overshot it, if we were relying on that shelter for rescue we failed. No worries, a long overdue lunch in a thicket of wind proof trees on the edge of the meadow renewed our energy and warmth from the bitter cold. Here we put our ‘emergency’ gear (Solo GSI cook pot, stove and canister, 1lb) to the test for a hot cup of ramen soup and hot tea. Head to head is my Brunton Raptor stove vs my friends new Snowpeak Gigapower stove in the bitter cold. Once enough water melted, the Brunton boiled in ~10 minutes with the Snowpeak taking twice as long, the obvious effect of a canister stove in winter conditions. My lunch consisted of hot tea, kippered snacks and a nutty bar
Many many thanks for the courtesy of the snowshoers who broke trail parallel to the skin track, skiers and shoers alike had ventured as far as Newton creek. The skin out uneventful delivering us at the car well after dark. Another fun ski tour where I longed to throw down a shelter and stay the night for more skiing the next day… coming soon enough if LaNina delivers more of the long overdue goods.
*edit to add a thank you to the snowshoers.
**edit to add TR fro 1/22/2012
