Summit & Wickiup Creeks - FR 1651, 1410 etc. 12/18/16

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Location: Co 62 to Summit Prairie.  FR 16 west to 1651 south to 1410 east to 368 to 1410 to 14 north 16 north back to summit prairie

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 worst in shaded curves east of JD. Co. 62 plowed, packed, blowing sno

Snow Conditions: solid 24" base froze recently, groomed trails are fab! no new on top

Skis on & temperature: 10am -8° (not sure this is accurate, maybe it was 0; tacoma pickup sensor may be freaking out a little) JD 8°  PC 12°

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 8° PC 14°  JD 16°

Distance: 16+ miles 1500' elevation

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10+; this trip calls for a new scale

Comments: this was an awesome trip. blue sky, full sun, no wind.  remember sunscreen, for lips, too & sunglasses.

longest distance & highest climb of the season. started out and ended cold, in between, good while moving or in the sun.  shadows got cold quickly. forecast wind did not drive windchill further down.  summit creek section mainly sunny.  wickiup creek section mainly shadows.

ungroomed 16 west with snomo tracks; 1651 to left

these roads were recently groomed.  only first 2 mile section of 16 west had 2 snomobile tracks; the rest were pristine.  could have used some kick wax on the steep section of 368; just ordered online, should be here wed. ready for thurs. ski.

pristine 1651 heading down summit creek from fr 16

the rd along summit creek is gorgeous & flat:

turning east on 1410 starts a gradual climb that gets a little steep after transition to 368:

 the sno so firm, can't hardly see ski tracks.

can't say enough about this loop. need some good legs; today needed some good layering.

saw one snomobile on a trailer at huddleston.  no tracks, no nothing.

the climb up 368 was a little steep.  the downhill to fr 14 was zippy, fun, enough traction to be in control - something i need to practice.  1mph going up; 10mph coming down.

pausing at the highest point, it was so quiet......................

frosty the ski bum

i gauge the cold by the thickness of breath condensation ice on beard. switched from hydration bladder as the tube froze last trip.  this time water bottle button froze, unscrewed cap.  later, cap froze. need a new system.

this is some of the best conditions i've seen in 4 winters of skiing here. forecast shows 1-3" on monday;  2-4" mon. nite; 1-3" tues.

have a lovely............