Day 72: Memorial Day weekend skiing with the girls.
UT-150, also known as the Mirror Lake Highway, is the only route through Utah's mighty Uinta Mountains. It's a seasonal road, and it opened for the summer season just yesterday. That meant a backcountry ski day in the Uintas today with AmyZ, Bobby Danger and my two dogs, Zoe and Maggie. I flew over the range a couple of weeks ago, and therefore knew that it was going to be good!
For those who may be unaware, dogs are forbidden in the Cottonwood Canyons, which means that backcountry skiing with them in the Cottonwoods isn't possible. Once UT-150 opens (or before it does if you have a snowmobile), the Uintas provide an option. The Mirror Lake Highway reaches a height of land at Bald Mountain Pass, elevation 10,715 feet, about 75 minutes east of Salt Lake City. That's like parking less than 300 feet below the top of the Snowbird Tram. While the road may have opened for the summer season, it's hardly summer up there yet!
We parked at the top of the pass and did two laps on the north face of Murdock Mountain, el. 11,212 feet. Totally smooth, totally supportable with a couple of inches of fresh snow on top. All of it was celebrated at Bald Mountain Pass with Park City First Pitch IPA and a house-smoked turkey sandwich from Samak Smoke House.
Days don't get much better than this! Especially over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. And thank God the girls are absolutely pooped tonight.
It takes some mighty big snow blowers to open Mirror Lake Highway -- and this is on the south-facing side of the pass.
We lapped the north side of Murdock Mountain, pictured here. (photo: AmyZ)
Happy girls.
Bald Mountain, from Murdock Mountain.
Bobby Danger ascends Murdock Mountain.
Following Bobby Danger.
Maggie.
Hangin' with Dad.
Bobby Danger, AmyZ and the girls.
Admin atop Murdock Mountain. (photo: AmyZ)
AmyZ ready to drop.
AmyZ
Zoe leads Bobby Danger out across the flats. Our tracks are visible on the face behind.
Zoe's ready for a snowball.
A rare miss.
At Bald Mountain Pass. (photo: AmyZ)
Admin and the girls skin back up for Round 2. (photo: AmyZ)
AmyZ does the same.
Admin and Maggie. (photo: AmyZ)
Bobby Danger
UT-150, also known as the Mirror Lake Highway, is the only route through Utah's mighty Uinta Mountains. It's a seasonal road, and it opened for the summer season just yesterday. That meant a backcountry ski day in the Uintas today with AmyZ, Bobby Danger and my two dogs, Zoe and Maggie. I flew over the range a couple of weeks ago, and therefore knew that it was going to be good!
For those who may be unaware, dogs are forbidden in the Cottonwood Canyons, which means that backcountry skiing with them in the Cottonwoods isn't possible. Once UT-150 opens (or before it does if you have a snowmobile), the Uintas provide an option. The Mirror Lake Highway reaches a height of land at Bald Mountain Pass, elevation 10,715 feet, about 75 minutes east of Salt Lake City. That's like parking less than 300 feet below the top of the Snowbird Tram. While the road may have opened for the summer season, it's hardly summer up there yet!
We parked at the top of the pass and did two laps on the north face of Murdock Mountain, el. 11,212 feet. Totally smooth, totally supportable with a couple of inches of fresh snow on top. All of it was celebrated at Bald Mountain Pass with Park City First Pitch IPA and a house-smoked turkey sandwich from Samak Smoke House.
Days don't get much better than this! Especially over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. And thank God the girls are absolutely pooped tonight.
It takes some mighty big snow blowers to open Mirror Lake Highway -- and this is on the south-facing side of the pass.
We lapped the north side of Murdock Mountain, pictured here. (photo: AmyZ)
Happy girls.
Bald Mountain, from Murdock Mountain.
Bobby Danger ascends Murdock Mountain.
Following Bobby Danger.
Maggie.
Hangin' with Dad.
Bobby Danger, AmyZ and the girls.
Admin atop Murdock Mountain. (photo: AmyZ)
AmyZ ready to drop.
AmyZ
Zoe leads Bobby Danger out across the flats. Our tracks are visible on the face behind.
Zoe's ready for a snowball.
A rare miss.
At Bald Mountain Pass. (photo: AmyZ)
Admin and the girls skin back up for Round 2. (photo: AmyZ)
AmyZ does the same.
Admin and Maggie. (photo: AmyZ)
Bobby Danger
