Central California

[~mikey b]

Why not? Everywhere else has it's own thread, right? Let's say Hwy 4 (Bear Valley) south including Hwy 108 (Dodge Ridge), Hwy 120 (Badger Pass) and Hwy 168 (China Peak).

Currently 2-3" at the base of DR (6600') with 6" on top (8000'). Forecast is for 6-12" at the base and 18-24" up top. They've got a deal going on the GiBo took advantage of.

[davieboot]

Good thinking. There is some good skiing to be had in the central Sierra. Though I haven't been to Badger Pass in 20 years. Probably about the same.

[hutash]

Good thinking. There is some good skiing to be had in the central Sierra. Though I haven't been to Badger Pass in 20 years. Probably about the same.

Yeah, on the east side of the central Sierra

[claymond]

Should've started this last year when I lived in Fresno County!!!!

[Slaag Master]

ww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jonesy]

@ DR Sundays. Look 4 drunk construction workers.

[~mikey b]

get ahold of me if'n you're headed up thisaway -- I have a place for folks to crash near Twain Harte

from the Sonora Pass thread...

some 108 (and 120) tips

Hula's in Escalon has good food.

AM/PM in Oakdale is cheapest gas you'll pass. AM/PM in Sonora is cheapest in town. Zak's in Sugar Pine is 25 cents cheaper than up the hill. If you haven't fueled up by the time you get to Zak's, you should.

Alicia's Sugar Shack in Sugar Pine has great coffee, breakfast burritos, muffins, scones, sandwiches. B&G on Sunday. Open at 0700. Tell her Mike from Dodge Ridge sent you.

Andy's Grill in Mi Wuk has EXCELLENT burgers - cheap. Great sandwiches, ribs, beer, ice cream, milk shakes. Mi Wuk store is open at 0700.

Cold Springs Market opens at 0600. They has groceries, doughnuts, breakfast burritos, gas, beer, bait, ammo - you name it. If you didn't buy gas at Zak's do it now.

Pizza options on 108: Mia's in Cold Springs and Pie In The Sky in Sierra Village are both popular. Most folks like one or the other. I like Mia's, but I've never been to Pie In The Sky.

Twain Harte has a few places to eat. Pizza, burgers, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, etc. Sportsman Cafe has good homemade breakfast sausages. Open at 0700.

SFTC - did I miss anything?

Damn, I think you got it. I'll just add that the cheapest/almost easiest place for grocery stuff is the Safeway in Sonora. Further up the hill the Twain Harte Market is a wanna-be Whole Foods / regular store hybrid with not as much of a selection of healthy stuff but all of the same prices.

In Pinecrest, right below Dodge, the general store will be open with basic stuff, next door Mike has decent camping/fishing stuff, next to that is the Serene Bean for coffee and the legendary Steam Donkey with cold beers and a good deck.

I can't think of anything else right now....

[~mikey b]

if any of you central valley Maggots are looking to move up the hill, DR is looking for an IT Tech

[GiBo]

I'm in Mike. Always felt like we were crashing the Tahoe thread.

[jonesy]

When is the season opener? My ski gear is 9 hrs away. :|

[~mikey b]

DR tentative opening planned for the Wed before Thanksgiving.

[~mikey b]

Question: where do thy close Sonora Pass on the west side? How much good terrain is accessible? What are the skinning opportunities, and are they worth it coming up from SoCal?

Depends. Right now it's closed at Kennedy Meadows (26 miles east of Strawberry). Closure will move down to the SnoPark 4 miles east of Strawberry. Not much good terrain accessible from either one. Best access is in and around Dodge Ridge area. You could access more faster from Huntington Lake to be honest.

[jahoney]

subscribed

although there is no snow close to the coast.. And my skiing shit is in tahoe. Been meaning to go to china peak though, its pretty damn close to me.

[davieboot]

Depends. Right now it's closed at Kennedy Meadows (26 miles east of Strawberry). Closure will move down to the SnoPark 4 miles east of Strawberry. Not much good terrain accessible from either one. Best access is in and around Dodge Ridge area. You could access more faster from Huntington Lake to be honest.

Decent sled access though.

[~mikey b]

excellent sled access - but you go through some big avalanche terrain - snomachine club has not been grooming last 2 seasons, so conditions are tougher

Eagle Meadow too

[Hoss Worthington]

Sweet thread. I learned to ski at Badger Pass and China Peak/Sierra Summit/China Peak. I still go back for a couple of days a year. It will be nice to see some targetted stoke & conditions. Well played telemike.

[~mikey b]

thanks Hoss

FYI all you Central Cal beaters - Winter Solstice party at my place Dec 21 - live music and DJ, BBQ, beer, and ensuing hilarity

[ecobrad]

Merced hillbilly checking in. Best accessible BC from the west side is Mt Reba area.

[irul&ublo]

but I will never have as many Internet friends as Blurred, he's my hero.

Isn't he everyone's?

[~mikey b]

this just in

I spoke to a buddy who works at Bear Valley tonight.

They will open as usual this winter.

[LightRanger]

this just in

I spoke to a buddy who works at Bear Valley tonight.

They will open as usual this winter.

That's great news.

I will be lurking this thread...

[ryanensor]

will be up at dodge this friday for some preseason hike shred!!

[~mikey b]

Bear got 23" at Griz top

[SailCat]

great - another corner to lurk in
I see that Bear is offering weekday tickets again for the
Modesto - State Theatre - Society for the Handicapped -Warren Miller show
Nov30 Dec1 $20 thanks BV
http://www.thestate.org/calendar/date/11/30/2012

[~mikey b]

last year we managed to walk out of the movie right to the holiday parade - do you know when that is?

maybe we can get a group together and go out to dinner before the film