2009-10 SoCal Snow Thread

[Pierre LeCouloir]

Stick the the gullies, altabrig, and you'll be loving your mashed potato descent almost all the way down. Also, I bet Baden-Powell still has some very long lines available.

[Big Tim]

Skied throop today. There were clouds over it all day so the snow was perfect. 3" of peal and eat. It is fat in there and should be skiable for weeks. Main gully at Baden requires a short hike at the water fall at the end.

BT

[altabrig]

Stick the the gullies, altabrig, and you'll be loving your mashed potato descent almost all the way down. Also, I bet Baden-Powell still has some very long lines available.

Thanks PLC, BigT and 406. Hawkins was fun. Lots of mashies at the bottom and fun breakable crust at the top. That lil' hike kicked my butt. Great slide down. Girlfriend was grinning on the way up and hooting all the way down.













Thanks for the great post... OP and all.

[wolfelot]

I'm surprised there is still enough snow on the ground in this area to ski on. Approximately how much snow did these SoCal mountains get this season?

[altabrig]

I'm surprised there is still enough snow on the ground in this area to ski on. Approximately how much snow did these SoCal mountains get this season?

Honestly I don't know. The higher elevation gullies in the San Gabriels probably got a bit over 200." The San Bernardinos and San Jacinto most likely recieved a bit less.

Someone else? Surely, there are some folks with better meteorolgic expertise and snowpack information who can better answer the question.

[wolfelot]

It is just interesting to see all that snow still. I believe those SoCal resorts generally get about 150 inches a year is all and the overall elevation is not THAT high. Given how far south those mountains are I'm surprised to see any skiing going on this time of year. GIT SOME!

[arctic_grayling]

until the past couple of weeks, the temp was still getting below freezing at night on a regular basis which makes a huge difference. also, being so close to the ocean, the daytime highs (while warm) don't get "hot" until late in the spring. that'd be my best guess as to why the snow sticks around, although honestly it surprises me too.

i was up icehouse canyon to timber peak yesterday and the north facing slopes at the higher elevations should hold skiable snow for another couple weeks at least.

[tele58]

over here in our neck of the woods Snow Valley reported 177"-217". that would be elevation dependant.

[406]

Pine Mountain
Thursday May 20th, 2010

I had not planned to ski Pine Mountain, but have wanted to for a few years and when I noticed that the Blue Ridge road gate was open decided to see how far I could drive up the road despite getting a late start. Made it to 1 mile west of Guffy camp before getting stuck in a snow bank. Getting unstuck put me another 1/2 hour behind. Of course, an impassable snow bank was just beyond the one I dug out of, so it was a total waste of time.
It seemed close, but was still another ~4 miles of walking on the road:


Made it to the trail up to Pine Mountain in about 1 hour. The trail is very steep and rugged, which I like, but was not fast going:


It was about 1:30 when I made it to the top of this:


The summit of Pine was another ~800 vert and about 1 mile away. I couldn't see a good NW facing run from the summit and thought the NE facing trees might have soupy snow this late in the day so started the ski down. I also had no idea if I could walk out the bottom or had to boot back up to the ridge.

Part way down looking up at tracks:


Near the bottom of the steep part:


Turned out I was in the right spot and skied down to an old jeep trail and hiked up the road back to the truck. Route, walking in red, ski in blue:


The run was really fun and had perfect corn, but it was a lot of walking for a short run. Also Got some good recon for skiing other routes in the area. Such as:


Was driving back to Wrightwood for dinner and found that the FS had locked me in. A local drove up to walk his dog and helped me out by driving back down to a FS truck he passed on the way up:


Camped that night at Blue Ridge camp ground, located near the top of Mt. Hi ski area. Just me and the Arrogant Bastard in camp:


Romantic chair ride:


Sun set on Baldy:

[406]

Mt. Hawkins and Tour of California
Friday May 21st, 2010

Wanted to get a run in and watch the bike race. This was my first time watching a rode bike race. Snow was a bit firm on the upper 1/4, but perfect on the lower 3/4.

Had to hike a bit to the summit. Not a very exciting summit, but had some cool rocks:


View from the top of the skiing:


The really fun part:


The racers came by around 12:30, about 1 hours later than expected. I would have made another run if I had known better what time they would pass by. I really just wanted to see Lance, but he was out due to a crash.

The break away group:


Second group:




Bikers with my skis and tracks in the background:


I have never watched road bike racing and didn't know the support vehicles stayed so close to the racers....looked crazy:


They all went by within a few minutes.

[Big Tim]

Nicely done 406. Skied throop again today with Twins. Man was it nice. Overnight freeze, good coverage, and the skiers left drainage was smoove top to bottom.... Amazing for May 25th

BT

[hutash]

The amazing thing about watching a pro bike race is how fast those fuckers go up hill, without really working it.

Thanks for the TR, I was hoping somebody would get some Angelus Crest turns and bike racing in.

[TWINS]

Now that was cool.Great T.R. and way to get the goods 406.You are checking quite a few peaks off your list this season.