Red Hole Wash

We almost didn't make it because I too casually allowed myself to become stuck in a muddy ditch.  The four-wheel drive on GC2 doesn't work correctly anymore, so you can do a lot of digging with the rear wheels before the front end catches.  I thought I was about to spend the afternoon digging with the shovel to build a new roadway out of the ditch when the front tires finally got traction and pulled us free.  From there we were able to drive all the way to the hoodoos directly above the Red Hole Wash pictograph panels.  It was so close we barely had to walk.

Ski Three

VSO wants to go rock art hunting tomorrow, so we'll have a break from the incessant ski touring narratives.  But, this was another good day:  A windy snow squall and 22F temps brought fresh snow to the ridge and quiet tracks in the woods.

Snows and Crows

Once again, the amount of new snow in town is miniscule:  Maybe two inches.  But, on the ridges, there is a lot.  I think we're at 110% or 120% of normal at this point.  At any rate, it makes for good ski touring.  And good picture making.

First Ski

It has mostly been dry in town this winter and the mountain snowpack has been below average.  As a result, I have not been thinking about skiing.  We got a good slug of moisture late this week, though, and I thought I'd better get on the skis before the winter gets completely away.  I went to my favorite touring zone above Indian Canyon, but found someone else parked there.  It made me nervous.  I found another trail system nearby, partly on the old highway, but it trended downward.  I skied for a while, maybe an hour, but I didn't want to break the cardinal rule:  Always start by going uphill.