Mill D to Dog Lake, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 6.25.2017

I was able to get out in the Wasatch on a beautiful Sunday. The trail in was lush with wildflowers starting to bloom in full force. It was warm as I expected, and the walk in was just what I needed. The trail into the stream crossing was a bit busy as there were bikers and hikers going both ways. Once we passed the stream crossing it was pretty deserted only passing a couple of people on the way up to Dog Lake. Arriving at Dog Lake we pulled up some shade and took a break. After a while we circled the basin around the lake taking in all the color and how lush things are this year. The hike out was evening time, so the shadows and light make the bluebells pop very bright. It was nice to be in the mountains again. Enjoy the pics! More adventures to come!

Willow Heights, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 6.18.2017

Finally, after what seemed like forever, the snow is melting out. I took a chance on a recon mission up to Willow Heights to see how things are doing in the alpine. It was a pleasant walk in on the trail. The heat was for sure letting me know it was there. The bluebells on the way in are blooming larger than I have ever seen them. After a nice push to the upper meadow I stood at the edge of Willow Heights lake. Did I mention bluebells everywhere? I decided to make a nice loop up above the lake to see how squishy things were since the snow had just melted out. There were a couple of spots that were really muddy, but for the most part it was dry trail. For how busy the canyon was it was rather quiet up here. After circumnavigating the basin, I pulled up an aspen log and took in some shade for a bit. It was really nice to be in the quiet and hear the birds sing. The hike out was just wonderful and the color from the wildflowers was popping. Its great to be back on the dirt path. Enjoy the pics, more adventures to come!

Collins Gulch To Wildcat Ridge, Little Cottonwood Canyon- 5.18.2017

I really thought winter was finally over at the end of April. I got after it last month on the splitboard. When we warmed up at the beginning of May, I figured we were probably done splitboarding for the year. Winter had other ideas for us. The Wasatch got a cold front this week that took us back to end of February temps. It snowed in the mountains, so I figured why not get one more shot at some powder before its is all said and done. I made my way on the skin track up. The clouds were hanging in like fog on the mountains. It was a cool sight to see. I am not sure if I heard thunder, but something rumbled on the top of Superior on the way up. The snow was not changing. It was much warmer than my last time out on the splitboard. After a good push from the mid station in Collins, I found myself standing at the top of Wildcat. There were a lot more people up here compared to the last time I was here.

There were tracks everywhere. I picked a good spot that had very few track off the main line. I took a few pics and talked to some other folks that were skiing down the shoulder. After a brief visit, I made the switch over and dropped in. This snow was great, cold and fast. I made some really fun turns and gunned it to the mid station. That is where the snow changed. No matter, I was using my secret weapon and it was all glide and no manky stick to the base from wet snow. It was great to be out for a walk uphill, and some powder turns in May. This may have been my last day of the season. Backpacking is right around the corner. I usually make the shift to the dirt path around this time of year. But if it keeps snowing, I might just have to pull out the splitboard and work on that goggle tan once more. Enjoy the pics and video. Its been a great season! More adventures to come!

Collins to Wildcat Tour- 5.18.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Solitude Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 4.29.2017

This week has been incredible to say the least. Storm after storm has pounded the Wasatch putting some spots in the 50" range of new snowfall. I took the morning on Saturday to get up early and get one more day out of this amazing cycle out on the skin track. After arriving at Solitude, I put on the boots and headed on up. I was a bit worried with how warm things were getting that the snow would change. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the snow was holding up despite the direct shots of sun. After a nice walk I dropped in. Really nice powder had fallen yesterday so the surface was so good. A bit of a boot pack up to Apex to get my final run of the day. It was so creamy and good on the way down. No manky snow even at the base. This week was so amazing how much snow fell here in the Cottonwood Canyons. Enjoy the pics and video I put up! More adventures to come!

Solitude Tour 4.29.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Millicent Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- 4.27.2017

Winter returned to the Wasatch once more with a huge storm that put down 40" of snow in some spots. I had the fortunate opportunity to get out with my good friend Chris for a morning tour up Millicent. We arrived to what looked to be partly cloudy skies. We got ready and headed on up. The sun was out for a bit as me made the climb on the skin track. Once we reached Twin Lakes Dam, the storm for the day came roaring in on us. Heavy snow fall and howling winds made for a challenging climb to the top of Millicent. Upon reaching the top, we made the change over and got ready for the descent. The snow was a bit wind loaded up top. But a couple of hundred yards off the top and we were in the ultralight powder that Utah is famous for. From top to bottom the ride was sweet! I love splitboarding! This day reminded me much more of conditions in February, not the end of April. Enjoy the video and pics I have shared. More adventures to come!

Millicent Tour- 4.27.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Collins Gulch to Wildcat Ridge- Little Cottonwood Canyon- 4.21.2017

The storms just keep on coming here in the Wasatch. Another overnight storm put down about 9-10" of snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Now that Alta has closed, its game on for touring. I made my way up the canyon and to the Collins Lot. After getting the boots on, I stepped onto the snow and began the climb. The sun peaked out on the way up and made it a very hot on the way up the skin track. Once I hit the mid station the clouds took mercy on me, cooling down the temps back to a tolerable level. I made the final push up to the shoulder of Baldy and made the switch over. The clouds were in and out the whole time. I dropped into some really nice snow right off the top. The ride down was so much fun slashing the creamy goodness. Enjoy the pics and video from today. More adventures to come!

Collins To Wildcat Tour- 4.21.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.

Peak 10420- Big Cottonwood Canyon- 4.9.2017

Winter returns! After spring had fully sprung, a 16" overnight storm pounded the Wasatch and put things at high tide. We made our way up to the trail head and put it together and headed in on the skins. We got there early enough that there was only one skin track from our starting point in. We made a quick push up the road and turned up the meadow to climb up Peak 10420. This was a really nice long stroll through the pines. At the last section it was kick turn city. 15 switch backs, a steep ascent to the ridge, and we were at the top. The wind had wreaked havoc on the snow at the ridge line, but just below the ridge the snow was in great shape. There were several groups up here but they all seemed to take their own lines as we did not see anyone on the descent. The snow was full on Utah Powder, light and right side up. We made turns through the glades and trees, blowing up cloud and slashing our way through the woods. It had me thinking in some sections "Is this April or January?" Sunday Funday strikes again in the Wasatch. Enjoy the pics and video I have put up to share. More adventures to come!

Peak 10420 4.9.2017 from Christian Paul on Vimeo.