-“New” Boulton creek-
The floods of 2013 have given me a lot to write about. Today was my test-drive of the reconstructed Boulton creek trail in PLPP. It has already been trackset and was in excellent condition.
Boulton bridge trailhead.
It’s a lot different from the old Boulton creek. This one involves some climbing and downhills and an ability to snowplow is mandatory. It’s a lot of fun as it twists and turns through the forest, but it takes some sharp turns and there’s not much room for error.
Marj was enjoying the great conditions on Elk pass
Skiing from south(Fox creek jct) to north(Boulton bridge), the net elevation loss is about 45 metres. The stretch of trail from Fox creek junction to the Boulton Bridge parking lot used to be 1.9K. It is now 2.1K.
I ran into Gary and Dale at the Elk pass – Hydroline junction. They had already been to the top of Blueberry hill.
After skiing it in both directions, I took Fox creek over to Elk pass. Fox creek is snowmobile packed but there’s excellent snow coverage. My theory on why it’s not trackset is because of the huge deadfall which had to be cleared away. Now I know why Phil had that big saw on his snowmobile last night.
Elk pass was magnificent
The skiing on Elk pass was fantastic, if a little slow because of 2 cm of fresh snow and very cold temperatures. The track had been skied in by the time I got there, but the snow temp was -13°C. That called for VR30(-10/-30) wax which gave plenty of grip.
Approaching the top of Elk pass
I made it to the top where I could see that Tyrwhitt had lots of new snow over the recent grooming. Hydroline looked to be in great shape. Gary and Dale had been to the top of Blueberry Hill and said it was good. The final kilometre is only snowmobile packed but they had no trouble.
Moraine on the left was trackset. Fox creek on the right was packed.
I stopped at Elkwood and observed excellent trackset conditions on Wheeler and Meadow. The parking lot had not been plowed and will be an issue for skiers this weekend if it’s not cleared by tomorrow. Same goes for Pocaterra parking lot which is an unmitigated disaster right now. Perhaps Volker Stevin is busy clearing them tonight. I sure hope so. Parking lots at Elk pass and Boulton Bridge have been cleared. I didn’t check the PLPP Visitor Centre.
It would have been worth the drive into K-Country just to see the snow plumes coming off Mt Baldy today. They looked spectacular against the deep blue sky with the sun shining on them.
The Snow Forecast is calling for 24 cm in PLPP and Ribbon creek on Monday night/Tuesday.
