A Backcountry Classic

"Let's mix it up a little!" Chad declared with enthusiasm as we pulled into the trailhead parking lot. A few seconds later, the car was stuck in the ditch. Fortunately, I had my avalanche shovel at hand and five minutes later, we were safely parked within the bounds of the lot.

We toured up into the expansive alpine terrain below Jones Pass. Plumes of snow crystals wisped off the high ridges, refracting the bright sunlight. After a warm-up run, we climbed back up to the top through the forest. There, an untouched glade of snow lay hidden, the sun spotlighting the opening amongst the shaded trees. If you listened closely, you could hear angelic voices sing, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh."

Pushing our way through a wind storm above treeline, we set off in search of the hidden entry to the hidden Golden Glade, as we called it. We started out too far right and made a corrective traverse, then spotted the way in! As we took a moment to savor the anticipation, suddenly a circus crashed into our solitary abode. First three skiers, then two more, then four passed right by us en route to the Golden Glade. No! The snowcat guided operation! But then - divine intervention. The circus paused before the glade to regroup. "Go Chad! Go!" And we blazed right past them to claim the powder stash! Victory was ours! This was - perhaps - the most harrowing and most dramatic run of my life.

We concluded the outing with a trip out to the ridge hemming in the basin. Scoring some great powder turns, we blasted back down into the trees. As the grade moderated, we took to a creek/gulch as the path of least resistance heading in the direction of our car. After awhile, the route flattened, Chad fell in the creek, and we resorted to a four-point slog through the powder to exit the gulch.

All in a day's play in the backcountry.