XC Skiing Fan Creek (YNP)

Yesterday Chris had another Saturday off, so we decided to head down and xc ski Fan Creek in Yellowstone Natl Park. This is just across the road from the Bacon Rind Creek ski we did a few weeks ago.

The trail starts off crossing a large meadow and the Upper Gallatin River just off the road, then goes into the forest beyond:

While there was plenty of fresh snow from the night before, it was surpisingly wet and sticky. This caused it to clump on the bottom of the skis, slowing us down. Eventually we decided to stop and put on some of the snowboard wax I had stuffed in my pack to help us out:

After a little while we came to the trail junction (Fan Creek/Fawn Pass). Chris heads off to the left up Fan Creek:

Soon the trail pretty much petered out, meaning we were breaking trail in the fresh deep snow:

This was cool except for the fact that it was often collapsing underneath us, sinking us to our waist or deeper. It became quite a slog. Here is Fan Creek, not frozen but often covered by snow:

After switchbacking up some hills we came to a nice spot to dig a snow bench (with my handy new shovel) and have some lunch and a few beers. We hung out for 45 minutes or so, waiting to see some sign of critter but we never did. Looking east towards Fawn Pass (kinda):

Looking back the way we had come from (that's our track in the immediate foreground):

Finally it was time to cover the mileage back to the car. At least this time we had our own tracks to follow and so it was a little easier getting through the deep snow. I also bombed back down a big hill through knee deep powder - good times!

One last look back where we had been, you can see our trail snaking off to the left and then back across and eventually up into the trees. Our lunch spot was beyond that tree covered hill:


No critters (except for the squirrel Chris saw, which doesn't count), but a good time was had for sure. I was tired from slogging through the deep snow, but not too tired to hit up some good runs snowboarding at Bridger this morning. Montana, so excellent.

XC Skiing Bear Creek (Jan 31, 2010)

The next weekend we went out to Ennis Lake to visit our neighbors Cindy and Terry who have a lake house out there. The plan was to play some quality Yahtzee on Sat night and then go for a cross-country skiventure on Sunday.

Before we left, we did a test to see if maybe there was a way that Poochie could go on a lengthy ski trip and we could carry him when he got cold:

But it was not to be - his short coat and lack of body fat make it tough for him (and us) if he is out in the snow for more than an hour, and this was going to be an all-day trip.

Terry came up with an excellent plan, courtesy of the neighbor, to try skiing up Bear Creek up towards the base of The Sphinx. This was very cool because I had not yet been into the Taylor-Hilgard unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness so new scenery was guaranteed. We got a couple inches of new snow overnight so the ski counditions were great, and the trail was just enough of a challenge.

Here I am entering the wilderness on the foot (ski) bridge. Don't fall!:

The trail crossed the crick several times, which meant there was alot of taking the skis off and then putting them back on:

This made for some equipment problems with ice getting into the bindings and then the binding wouldn't close (ie, ski won't stay on). Fortunately I had a pocket knife with me and could pick the ice out each time it happened.

The trail itself was very scenic and followed the crick up a small canyon:

And then through some forest:

Ultimately we came across a great place for lunch, in a big meadow at what would be almost the base of the Sphinx. Unfortunately, it's lost in the clouds:

After that we went a little farther, and then turned back for a great downhill the several miles all the way back to the trailhead. A few spills were had, but nothing serious! A great time was had by all.

XC Skiing Bacon Rind Creek (Jan 23,2010)

Better late than never, here is an account of our excellent cross-country skiing adventure along Bacon Rind Creek in Yellowstone Natl Park.

Chris finally got a Saturday off so he, my beautiful wife, and I decided to head down to XC ski Bacon Rind Creek in YNP, something we had been meaning to do for a long time. After the almost hour long drive, Chris is ready to get going:

With fresh snowfall the night before, the trail immediately was greeted with some beautiful scenery. The forest was full of whiteness:

That fresh snow and scenery came with a price, however. The most extensive avalanche cycle in years was plaguing the southern Madison Range due to the cold temps from late October and early December producing weak layers of sugary facets near the base of the snowpack. As we skiied we heard lots of whumphing and collapsing sounds. We kept to the flat terrain in the middle of the valley where things were safe. Being prepared for the conditions with the new shovel my bro got me for Christmas also meant I was prepared to shovel out a nice seating area for lunch, a cold beer, and some hot chocolate. Mmmm what a combo!:

Our lonely tracks show just how quiet and full of solitude it was out there:

Finally we headed back to towards the car, passing through more beautiful forest:

It was a great time and most importantly, we stayed safe. Mad props go to the folks from the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center whose daily updates on the condition of the snowpack keep everyone aware of what's going on. This beer's for you!