Crest Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- April 2021

The spring rollercoaster is in full effect here in the Wasatch. We are warm for a few days, then the NW flow kicks in again. We got a pretty nice late season storm that put down 9" to a foot of snow depending where the wind blew in the range. I decided that I would get out for a day in Big Cottonwood Canyon this time as I have not been up there all winter. All the resorts are closed except Snowbird and I decided I would head up Crest to get some exercise on the skin track and get some turns to head home.

I made my way up Big Cottonwood very early in the morning and was in the lot by 8 AM. I put on the boots, strapped in and began the skin up. The clouds and fog post storm were hangning in there preserving the quality of the snow. There were a few cars in the lot, and I saw people head up as I was getting ready, but once I started climbing it was a ghost town. The wind got a litte more fierce as I gained elevation. But it was nice to be alone in the mountains for a bit just enjoying the silence.

Near the top I ran into a old friend I used to work with at Backcountry.com. Jeff is a great guy and a legend in the backcountry. We chatted as we made the rest of the climb and went our seperate ways at the top of Crest. I was really cold, and I quickly made the switchover and put on the warm layers to get my core back up before dropping in. The ride home was realy nice and the clouds and cold temps really preserved the snow quality. It was such a sweet smooth ride and I was solo all the way back to the Jeep!

This may have been my last day out on the splitboard for the season. Backpacking is going to be in full swing in just a couple of weeks, so I feel blessed for the bonus powder Mother Nature provided. A great day in the mountains, and always a treat to be on the skins! Enjoy the pics and my YouTube video, and subscribe if you like! More adventures to come as the seasons change! Stay tuned!

Season Opener For Backpacking, Wasatch-Cache National Forest- April 2021

What a difference a week can make! Last week I went splitboarding twice, this week we have record 80 degree temps! Since I had some new gear to try out, I figured with these temps it was a good time to get out and see what I got and how it handles before taking it deep into the woods. I got a couple of new things this year. I got a new PFG Terminal Tackle Hoodie from Columbia and I was beyond impressed! Its UPF 40 and the hood is instant sun shelter. Even when you sweat you let it get sunlight for a few minutes and it is dry! Kept me cool carrying a full pack traveling up hill in heat. Why I have not used one of these years ago is beyond me! Highly recommended! The hike up to the lake was hot, temps we have not seen since last October.

Arriving at the lake there were a few people, but not near as busy as a normal Saturday as Spring Break had most people out of town. I pulled up to a spot and dropped my new Granite Gear Crown 2 60 pack. This pack is amazing! It carries better than my VC60 from the same company and I did not know that was possible. I have used my VC60 for the last 6 years and have gotten a lot of messages and comments of what pack that was. It has been bomber and so light. But I have always wanted a lid and saddle bags and my new Crown 2 60 has that! Honeslty the most comfortable carry I have ever had in a pack. I can't wait to go deep with it this summer! I put my fly rod together and did some fishing.

After about an hour of fishing, I decided to pack it up and head up by the falls to set up a camp that I found hiking up here a few weeks ago. It was a nice evening to be hiking and the temps were perfect! There were no people and it was so quiet! The contrast in colors and the evening light just made everything a treat! After a couple of miles I found my spot and got shop set up. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be outside setting up a camp! This is unusually early for me. I usually dont start hitting the trail till May. But with a low snow year and a warm day like this I say why not! I put it all together and settled in for a very nice and mild evening here in the Wasatch!

Night came and I set my camera out for a star trail in a opening in the trees behind camp. I settled in for a small fire and just enjoyed the evening. About 30 minutes after I started my time lapse it went from crystal clear to clouds over the range. No matter I was just there to enjoy myself. It was a beautful night and I reallized how much I really missed this. Around the witching hour I put out my fire with the snow around the pit until it was all the way out and I turned in.

Morning came and I got up, had tea, and decided to pack it up and head out. The sun had not crested the ridge yet and the temps were cool. I threw on the pack and made my way out to the trailhead. The light when it first hit me from the sun cresting the ridge of the range was amazing! Everything looked like it had a glow to it. The hike down to the res was some of the best solo on trail time I have had since last summer. Coming out of the last meadow the sun was just amazing and I was able to get a vey nice shot of it as it was in full view and shooting beams of light! The light at the lake was really great and I was ablt to capture that on the way out as well. Great first trip out to shake out the cobwebs, test out some new gear, and to get out in nature! Enjoy the pics and the video below! More adventures to come!

Friday In The Grizz! Grizzly Gulch, Little Cottonwood Canyon- March 2021

We got another storm that put down about 12" so I decided I had a Friday free for once I would get out again on the skins. I made my way up Little Cottonwood Canyon and found a spot to park. I put on the boots and the pack and started the climb. The new snow was very nice, though a bit creamier than the previous outting up here. I made the climb in pea soup visibility where even the surface was white out because there was no light. It finally started to break when I got to the meadow. A quick climb up the Grizzly Road and then left up to my spot. I did not have to break trail too much as someone had already put in a main track in this area.

I got to my spot and made the switchover and hung out for a minute. Patsy Marley had come into view and daydreaming across the way at all the potential drop zones was something I could have done all day. eventually I put on my jacket and pack and dropped in. Not as deep as last time, and there were placed you were hitting the old refrozen snow, there was just enough from the new snow to avoid disaster. I got some really fun turns and it is always a treat to be snowboarding! Great day in the mountains! Heat wave coming our way. Hoping for one or two more days out. Its been a rough winter, so if this was it it was a great day! Enjoy the pics and the video! More adventures to come!

Grizzly Gulch, Little Cottonwood Canyon- March 2021

A classic sleeper powder day in the Wasatch was on tap and you know I was going to get after it. I made my way up Little Cottonwood after the powder panic subsided on the road and made my way up to the end of the road. It was snow and I put on the boots and headed up. It was snowing the whole time and it was just magical! There is nothing like touring in a full on snowstorm! It is something I love!

After reaching the top of the Grizzly Trak, the line I wanted had no tracks in it and it was very deep! I actually missed breaking trail and really enjoyed the work it takes in trenchtown. Finally pulled up to the spot I was shooting for and put on some dry layers. I kind of hung out for a bit just taking it all in as the snow continued to fall. Then I put on the pack and dropped in. The snow was so good, right side up and really surfy! I punched it on the Grizzly Trak on the way down which was nice because its been a while since I did some high speed cruisers. The drop back into the basin held some untracked turns and some freshies on the way out to finish off the day! Best day of the year IMHO!!!! Enjoy the video, more adventures to come!

First Dayhike- Bells Canyon- March 2021

Well, we went from winter to instant spring. I figured it was time to dust off the boots and get out on the dirt path. I headed up the steep rocky west trail which was mostly snow free, some icy spots in the shade but very manageable. I love this hike! It is a good one for the heart rate and the new switchbacks they put in last year are amazing! As I continued to climb the views got better.

After about a mile I was standing at the lake. The ice was about half off of it and I could see rises. I put my fly rod together and decided to give fishing a try. I had one that I missed, and a bunch of rises next to my fly. Alas, nothing landed. Still fun to be tossing a line. The sun started to set to the west and I decided to pack it up and head out. The hike out was nice evening light and cool temperatures. Made me miss backpacking! A great day and a start of things to come! Enjoy the video! More to come!

Albion Basin, Little Cottonwood Canyon- February 2021

I got out for another beautiful day on the splitboard in the Wasatch! I went up Little Cottonwood to walk on the skins and get some exercise. After gearing up, I headed up the summer road. I popped into the trees and broke trail up to the top of the summer road. Then I made a short jaunt up to a spot with some nice views. It was really warm in the sun and I hung out for a bit before dropping in. I got some soft turns as I made my way back to the Jeep. Great day in the Wasatch! Enjoy the video! More to come!

Porter Fork, Millcreek Canyon- February 2021

With the avalanche danger high, I decided to just get out on the skins and climb up the Porter Fork road. It was just starting to snow from a light storm that was moving over us. I put on the pack and headed up the road. It was nice to be out in the mountains again. This is a beautiful area in the canyon. There was enough snow on the road to freshen up the surface. The climb was nice with the flakes falling. After about 1.5 miles I topped out on the road. The ride out was interesting as the snow was soft but a bit tracky. Still fun to be riding after being off for so long. Enjoy the video below and more posts to come!