Bonneville Pass Powder

Bonneville Pass
Dunoir Special Management Area
Absaroka Range, Shoshone NF
February 23rd, 2008

We decided with low Avi danger conditions and not much new snow that conditions would be good for trying a run up to Bonneville Pass. It was a good call. The trails in were highways. We had no problem reaching the pass.

Looking across Bonneville Pass towards Austin Peak.

Once up there though, it was hard deciding what and where to ski. There were so many options. Eventually after motoring around a bit and driving to the top of Austin Peak, we decided north facing trees were our best bet for good snow. We decided to hit the mountain in the background.

Not before driving to the summit of Austin Peak though, Jules Bowl in the background.

Some folks want to close this whole area off to snow machines and mountain bikes. They'd be slamming the door on a plethora of ski terrain. The only way most folks could access it in the winter, if it were closed, is by multi-day over night trips. It's a few miles off the beaten path. Essentially, it'd become Wilderness. Guess I better enjoy it while I can.

Tara heads up.

Mostly smiles as we head towards some promising aspects.

Suiting up for the first run above Bonneville Pass.

It was good.

Classic Absaroka tree shots.

Tara goes for air.

Take off!

Touch down.

Off to the races.

Zoom! Zoom!

The red blurr rides a split board. There's no hope now. Ha!

When fish fly.

Ohh man!

Yeeehoooo! A salvaged landing.

Pretty good powder, considering it hasn't snowed for a few days.

Bonneville Pass and the pinnacle buttes above Dundee Meadows.

Chuck rides...

A nice shot through the trees.

The top half of that run.

Chuck landin' hucks and poppin' wheelies!

Ridem' Schuster!

Karla's turn(s)...

Doctor Free Heel, at your service! Ha!

Tara makes the last big climb for the day (click on photo if you can find her).

A look across the way at Brooks Mountain.

Preparing for the final descent.

A look back at some of the runs we skied/ rode.


The day in real time:

Riding the Notch

Riding the Notch

Southern Wind River Mountains
February 17th, 2008

A look up at "The Notch"

Tara breaks trail.

Going up...

and up!

Another look at "The Notch" as we got a bit closer. The weather was pretty weird. Not much wind, but it kept going back a forth between white out flurries and blue sky.

Tara maintains a steady pace.

Nearing the final up.

Too steep for snow shoes.

Tara makes her way up the actual notch.

Almost there!

Time to ride it.

Weehoo! Nice and steep.

Out of the Notch and off to the races!

Tara shreds some good pow!

The powder was much better (like it always is) a little further down the mountain.

Figure eights.

Fast and fun!

Tara goes big...

and launches!

Tara rides with Christina Lake below.

After one top to bottom whole mountain run, we did several more runs just on the good powder.

Tara series #1:

Tara turns on Shad tracks.

Last huck of the day:

A look back at the whole mountain. Sure was nice to be able to drive up the base of it.

A final look back into the sunset from across Christina Lake.


This pretty much sums up the day better than anything...

Ride the Winds!