Patch Skiing TR: Folger Peak, CA 7-22-06

**bcrider** · 07-23-2006, 09:35 PM

Date: July 22, 2006

Location: Folger Peak, Ebbets Pass CA

Weather: Record setting heat wave in the valley but pleasant in the mountains.

Participants: Vets, MJ, bcrider

Gameplan: patch skiing

Duration: 5hours or so

Vertical: 1000feet or so

Distance: 2-3miles roundtrip

Beta: n/a

Pics: bcrider, Vets, MJ

Intro: Nine days of above-100degree-heat (in a row

) and a break in the family schedule where all I needed as an excuse to escape into the mountains. I had planned to do some patch skiing near the Crystal Range but decided the four mile dry-approach was more punishment than I needed to endure. Luckily for me I hooked up with the world renowned patch skier named “Vets” and found some more accessible patches near Ebbets Pass, Ca.

Here is our story.

************************************************** *****************************************

Vets, MJ, and I met in Woodfords at the crack of 8am. Ironically, the last time I saw these guys was last year this time for some patch skiing. After a quick hello we set off for Ebbets Pass.

But not before taking in a little history of the area.

I thought about carving my name into the plaque but a sudden wave of common sense came over me.

Once on Ebbets Pass we get our first good view of Folger Peak. Our starting point is on the looker’s left hand side of the ridge and our descent is the peak on the right. You can drive to just below the furthest chute on the left.

The Vets-Mobile. Note the chute from the previous picture too.

Out of the car it’s already warm but nothing like the miserable heat we’ve been experiencing in the low lands. We also notice the great smells of wildflowers and mint that are common this time of year.

At the beginning of the tour we wonder through a short forest before gaining the shade-less ridge.

MJ wondering how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck chucked it…or something like that.

I couldn’t help but get distracted by the pretty flowers.

Some insects “getting after it” on this Wandering Daisy.

Another Wandering Daisy (violet with yellow center)

The “sticky-icky” Applegate’s Paintbrush.

Crimson Columbine

Richardson’s Geranium

Mountain Mule Ears

Hey look…snow!

A fallen butterfly.

More snow…

and more flowers.

Vets

Highland Lakes and ??? Peak.

Continuing on the ridge we come to a few ski-able patches...

but it’s only been 30minutes since we left the car so we figure we’ll keep on going to see what else we can find.

Once we gain higher ground we can see the peak and bowl we saw from the pass.

bcr

And a closer view.

Looking back, just past the saddle.

We came to a little patch with a cool backdrop so I decided to make a couple turns.

Looking up to the last little stretch to the top.

And a few minutes later we were there.

Looking down our first chute of the main course…

but first it was time for appetizers, some Cali-Rolls and a Guinness.

**bcrider** · 07-23-2006, 09:37 PM

After a look around we downclimbed into the chute.

Vets wishing he had double Whippets.

MJ does the honors while I try to get a good angle.

My view.

Back to Vets's view.

I moved across to the other side of the chute for a different angle and Vets went next.

I went last, came in a little hot n heavy, and lost an edge. No pics, sorry.

When the snow gets this suncupped I can see how having an extra set of edges (skiers) is nice.

MJ

Vets

After our first chute we went back up for a different one.

Taking a breather at the top.

bcr

Vets

MJ

Vets

MJ

**bcrider** · 07-23-2006, 09:40 PM

Vets on the green run back to the lodge.

MJ

Vets hits the looker’s left entrance to the SnowMelt Couloir.

bcr is still thirsty.

MJ takes the looker’s right.

MJ and Vets do a doubles run.

MJ with our handiwork in the background.

Vets hits the last little pinch…

before the patch ends.

MJ works it to the end too.

From here we had a pleasant little walk back to the car.

Complete with more flowers…

Meadow Penstemon (I think)

mellow stream crossings…

and pretty views. I think this one has iskibc’s name on it.

Soon we were back at the car. Vets cant help but smile after a fun day.

Looking back from the pass to Folger Peak on the right.

I got a good look at the Glider Chute too.

Here is a view from winter.

TR here:

Parting Shot:TR in the making.

Thanks for a fun day Vets and MJ! It was great to ski with you guys again, cant wait until August!

The End:

**f2f** · 07-23-2006, 09:45 PM

very nice! love the flower shots -- i always fill my camera with those too

G · 07-23-2006, 10:16 PM

You have a very awesome shirt.

And this shot is beautiful:

**Squirrel99** · 07-23-2006, 10:29 PM

Nice work keeping the July stoke alive (even with the heat wave!)
Only question now is how many more days it will take iskibc to post one from colorado?

there's a crapload of pics!

summer skiing

**Cirquerider** · 07-23-2006, 10:45 PM

Nice way to escape the 110s in the valleys. I'll seek out my excuse and make the late July turns this week. Very nice TR, but these temperatures really sap the motivation.

**mock1** · 07-23-2006, 10:58 PM

thanks for the pics, ditto on the flower shots. ever do anything around round top and what kind of packs are on your backs? 109 in the shade, 114 in the sun but you got me thinking snow--------cool!

**gimpy** · 07-23-2006, 11:45 PM

. that area is one of the coolest wildflower spots i've ever been. i've gotta get a map of the area cause that area off of highland lakes rd is called tryon meadows and i know tryon peak (in richins book) is right around there but i could never get a bearing on where exactly it was. and i also recall a decent sized lingering patch in that same area on hiram peak right above a lake (highland?).

**Rasputin** · 07-24-2006, 12:09 AM

Schaweet TR, and I hate you!

I need to find some snow! Maybe the Missions (MT) still have snow, I'll have to go for a drive.

Thanks though, it looks like a pack'o'fun, with minimal hiking.

**Rasputin** · 07-24-2006, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Cirquerider

Nice way to escape the 110s in the valleys. I'll seek out my excuse and make the late July turns this week. Very nice TR, but these temperatures really sap the motivation.

Well throw a bucket of water on your head and get in that fancy rig of yours, crap, if there was that much snow around here I'd be losing weight instead of carboloading.

**Vets** · 07-24-2006, 12:24 AM

bcrider, it was a genuine pleasure making turns with you. I appreciate your pace setting, photo shooting, and sushi sharing. You definitely deserve a Guiness spancership!

The peak above Highland Lakes is Hiram Peak.
I'm not sure, but I think that the chutes we skied off of Folger Peak are called Straybecks, Double-Shot, and Orange Mocha Frappuccino. The one we didn't do is called Maxwell House.

We also passed up many other chutes on the hike up the ridge.

mock1, I've done Roundtop and Sisters a few times before and will be heading there again this summer and fall. My pack is a DaKine Heli-Pro.

gimpy, I skied the Hiram Peak/Highland Lake patches last week and also last August. On the hike up the ridge we saw a very inviting chute and bowl on the ridge behind Hiram Peak.

What a great day!

**iskibc** · 07-24-2006, 05:00 AM

Excellent! Some good photos in there bcr. Nice style, very nice.

I like the lunch shot too.

Where's the Sake?

**Kellie** · 07-24-2006, 07:48 AM

Gotta love that Sierra blue sky - great pics and stoked to escape the valley heat!!

**hop** · 07-24-2006, 08:19 AM

I see you have learned the way of the slopeside sushi.

......Excellent!

**Bodhi** · 07-24-2006, 08:45 AM

July snow = July snow.

Nice score...

peace,
D.

**mmcpheet** · 07-24-2006, 09:04 AM

Sushi - Guinness - Hawaiian shirt

Nice island trifecta.

**kidwoo** · 07-24-2006, 09:07 AM

Crimson Columbine

Thank you for telling me what the hell those things are called.

And also......get a mountain bike you freaks.

**Barnballs** · 07-24-2006, 09:15 AM

Great job, thanks for sharing.

**FrankZappa** · 07-24-2006, 09:24 AM

Yummmmm... Patches in late July... mmmmmm. Refreshing.

**BushwackerinPA** · 07-24-2006, 09:28 AM

holy pictures batman they nearly killed my slow computer here at work, but it was well worth it.

flowers= great shots
skiing = awesome
and the green contrast the snow, just amazing

**chunder** · 07-24-2006, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the outstanding pics and TR. Patches and Guiness--damn that looks good!

**The Dad** · 07-24-2006, 10:36 AM

Nice TR.

Showed my boys the Patch Kids TR yesterday, while we were trying to cool off, and they were getting pretty stoked. Who knows -- maybe we'll take them on a short backpack overnight in AK next month, see how they do?