You’ve read the trip reports extolling the perfect conditions on the new tracksetting on Whiskey Jack, Upper Pocaterra, and Packers. I can vouch for the incredibly wonderful conditions.
Today’s skiing will go into the log book as a “best day.” They don’t get any better.
After climbing Whiskey Jack I noticed the tracks of two animals along Pocaterra. After following them down Pocaterra for about 2K, I could see they came from the ungroomed “back door” trail. That’s the trail we use to access Upper Pocaterra before the barricade goes down. There are skier-set tracks on the back door trail and the animals walked in them.
They also marked their territory right at the spot where the back door meets Upper Pocaterra.
I could notice some fur drag on the footprints. I didn’t see toenails.
The tracks continued up Pocaterra and are also on Tyrwhitt. Tyrwhitt has 10 cm of fresh snow with wobbly tracks.
Click on any photo for a larger image.
The animals came from the ungroomed “back door” trail
Lynx tracks are less distinguishing because of the long fur around their feet. These look like cougar tracks. Cat tracks normally do not exhibit the toenails (they retract like a house cat’s paws). Dogs/wolves would have their nails out and are more elongated than a cat’s track.
Perhaps lynx tracks? I’ve seen lynx in PLPP before.