Snow, snow, snow

Several trips to the snow and I've decided to abandon x-c skiing for now and stick with snowshoeing.

The day after Christmas we drove up to Hope Valley and rented skis and took a short trip on the flat area. Commando got to play with a lab and they really tore around like loons. We didn't stay out too long. The snow was deep and powdery so Commando found it tough going. It was also bitterly cold, about 9 degrees Farenheit and I wasn't sure how Commando would tolerate the temperature. He kept lifting his paws off the snow. The traffic was also horrible and very near Red Hawk casino there was a bad accident. The views were spectacular though with fresh powdery snow shining in the sun.

Drove up to Truckee on New Year's and rented x-c skis at the BackCountry store. They are really nice with no attitude so I highly recommend them. Drove up 89 almost to the big valley and skiied up a small road that leads to a closed for the season shooting range. The skis did well going uphill although it was no easier than snowshoes. I found going downhill to be harder than I thought and I was so afraid I would fall and break another bone that it just wasn't fun. These skis are easier to handle than the skinnier kind. That was nice. Still, it's on this trip that I decided to just stick with snowshoes.

Andy came up and we drove to Icehouse. We stopped at REI in Folsom first and were dismayed to see an enormously long line. An employee handing out tickets outside said it was the used gear sale. So much for our quick trip! Andy spent heavily on new boots, new snowshoes and new gloves.

We stopped somewhat randomly at forest service road 12N28 and hiked up about 2 miles and then back down. This road passes Jones Camp and skirts Bosworth Meadow. I'll have to explore the meadow a little more next time.