*Yours truly lagging behind (photo by Peter)*

I teamed up with Peter to venture into the still closed park for a ski outing. This time of year Highway 410 is closed to access the White River entrance, so we biked 410, being clear of snow, and were able to continue to the White River entrance and a little bit beyond, occasionaly pushing the bikes over snow patches until we finally ditched them and took to skinning the remaining 2 miles of road to the trail head.

There is still enough snow to skin from the Fryingpan Creek trail head to Summerland, interrupted by negotiating creek crossings and snow covered bridges in the going. But the weather gods smiled upon us with mild temps and sunny skies; once out of the trees we were traversing a winter wonderland, untouched with the exception of bear tracks (which we followed for a time). Our original plan was to end run Summerland and continue up towards Panhandle Gap, but the beautiful slope ahead of us below Meany Crest beckoned with much better skiable terrain. Peter is a “young fella” and set in the skin track, forging ahead with ease. He has considerably more experience with backcountry skiing and I picked up some good tips and techniques from observing him and with direct inquiries. Our high point was 6600’ and we enjoyed wettish but smooth snow for a most excellent run. I elected to chill while he took another stab at it, and I watched him hammer up the track and be back within 20 minutes. Oh, to have that twenty something energy and strength again!

*A winter wonderland in April, Mt. Rainier National Park*

Once we got past the Fryingpan creek crossings and back onto our previous track, the going was smooth (exceptions of course: recrossing the creeks). It is amazing how much terrain you can cover just shushing along on skis on a gentle slope, faster than running pace. We eventually regained the road where, crossing paths with 2 other guys who also subjected themselves to this exotic experience of pain and pleasure, we free heeled back to the bikes without skins. Boy was I glad to get out of those boots after 10 hours, as they are not completely dialed in and I have to deal with a couple of hot spots. Back on the bikes a short climb got us to 410 and it was coasting all the way to our waiting vehicles, arriving at 8 PM with just enough light left to leave the headlamps in the pack. Stats for the day: 15 miles skiing with 4000’ elevation gain, and 14 miles RT biking adding another 1400’ of elevation for a total trip length of 29 miles and 5400’. Not the longest day I’ve had, but hard in that those other muscles not called upon for lift skiing were taxed for sure. Just another great day in the mountains!