EISPIRATEN

I drove up this morning to see if I could get a look at the storm's effect on Baldy and maybe get a hike in as well. At the first road closure I asked the county worker if I'd get arrested or cited if I drove up to Icehouse Canyon. He said probably not, so I went for it. After I drove through the washed-out area below Icehouse, I figured I might as well try my luck with Manker. I was surprised to see that the area near Falls Road where we all park was in much worse shape than IHC. No one I talked to could tell me when the road would reopen, but there's a lot of equipment and workers up there, so hopefully soon.

Back at Icehouse, the first snow patch I saw was at 5400', with excellent continuous snow from 5800' on. I brought crampons, but didn't need them.

Serious Road Closure near Buckhorn Lodge


More signs on the way to Manker


At Big Butch Wash they opened the gate and were bulldozing debris over the side


Mt Baldy Rd/Falls Rd


Down at Icehouse Canyon, the creek is raging


Telegraph South Couloir


Baldy Bowl


Icehouse Saddle


Me at Icehouse Saddle

Schnee!! Yaaaay.
Thanks for the TR, Dave!

Excellent! Thanks for the recon.

Way to go Dave! Nice T/R. Looks beautiful up there!

Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee chasing the first "virgin snow" that's our Dave G.
Great pictures, will try to post some of my own tomorrow night, when I get a chance

Wow, risking arrest just to bring us the conditions! If you got busted, you could have told them you know the mayor.

sorry to see the damage from the dang Pineapple Express, but grateful to see the coverage once the temps dropped a bit. hoping this is only a base for our winter and the storms continue to roll in regularly now. the IHC creek looks more like the Merced River. thanks for the photos DG!

Thanks Dave! That's great!

Thanks for the pics Dave, can't get up there till the New Year so I appreciate your pics from the comfort of my home....Merry Christmas.

Yetidude.

Great report and photos, Dave.

Dave, Thank you for the information.
Since the road was closed we went up Bear Canyon as far as time permitted.
It was wonderful, snow began at the top of the switchbacks and there was total coverage soon after. The snow was firm and dry and easy to walk on. Going up it was like a sidewalk. After it warmed up it was a little softer and wet, but still nice.

It was clear , not a breath of wind, and hot in the sun.

We did use crampons, a good idea on the steeper slopes, and conditions will change tonight if it rains/snows.

Christmas Eve was just a beautiful day.

Dave, Frank thank you for the great reports on the latest conditions!

Thanks for the pics for those of us who can't get away. Simply beautiful.

yeti

Great pictures Frank-had a great time Friday with Tracie, Frank, Ryan and Ty - perfect way to start the holiday weekend - fun in the sun, with some snow to go, hope to get back on the trail attack

Ingrid and I went up Bear Canyon yesterday. I'll put a few photos up tomorrow. We learned we really need to get earlier starts (she has difficulty with that) and also I am hopelessly out of shape and need to do some training before our snow travel clinic on 8 January.

We had never been up the Bear Canyon trail before. It is really lovely down in the canyon and, while a lot less lovely above Bear Flat, very pretty in the snow. Surely the best time of year to do this trail.

Yes, great time on Friday guys! Even though it was a short day with a few blisters and all it was a great time.

Here are my pics: http://ryanbracci.smugmug.com/Hiking/20 ... t-Mt-Baldy

It was a beautiful day, blisters and all! My photos are up

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29308219@N ... 688175642/ 8)

fun, fun, fun! gotta' get me some. beautiful pix of the rime and San G Tracie.

Tracie - way to capture the day with those pictures - absolutely wonderful thanks for sharing them

Yes, nice pictures, Tracie! Thanks for posting. I totally wish we could have spent more time up there...