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Bunchgrass Ski/Snowshoe, 14 January, 2018

Twelve people enjoyed a balmy outing along Bunchgrass Creek; 8 on snowshoes: Kathy, Susan, Jeff, Jane, Laurel, Clay, Wendy and Maggie; and four on skis: Chris, Teresa, Dave W, and Dave P (leader).   On the uphill trek some of the skiers were slipping a little, except Dave P who had climbing skins.  Although the temperature was above freezing the snow was dry with a hoar frost surface. Several inches of powdery snow above a firm base made for good skiing. With only about a foot of snow near the trailhead, there was barely enough ice and snow to bridge the stream crossing.

We stopped for lunch at a sunny spot above Goring pond, where Dave W's probe showed a firm crust 6 inches from the surface and 24 inches total snow depth. The skiers enjoyed a fine ride down the hill, turning at will, as long as they avoided the sagebrush and other exposed obstacles.  The snowshoers strolled along without a problem, although one person had a problem with ice kept building up on the bottom of her snowshoes (it helped when we applied cross-county ski glide wax).

Trip Summary:

• Participants: Jeff, Susan, Jane, Kathy, Laurel, Clay, Wendy and Maggie on snowshoes and Chris, Teresa, Dave W. and Dave P., the leader, on skis
• Drove 23 miles up Logan Canyon to the Bunchgrass Nordic Trailhead parking area
• On the trail at 10:50 with lunch near Goring Pond, 12:15 - 12:50
• Back at the trailhead at 1:45 and Logan about 2:30
• 24 inches of snow near our lunch spot, much less than last year
• Cloudless skies and calm winds
• 3.7 miles round trip, with 760 feet of ascent and descent
  

Thanks to Dave P. for the narrative and photos, and Dave W. for photos and GPS data