We used to do an annual family Mother's Day ride. Haven't done one for years, so my better half and I decided this year we would go for our last ride this year. Went to Fernie and initially tried Morrissey. Couldn't get up to the big rock before FWA and there was lots of bare road. Decided to turn around and go to Coal Creek; much better choice. One can drive to the snow line at 46.5 km just before the third bridge. It will be awhile before trucks can go any further. The trail was better than my last two rides April 1 & 2. I'm not complaining about the grooming just stating that the trail is in excellent shape with minimal whoops.
Lots of snow, although it is disappearing in some places. The third picture is taken above the Rolling Hills cabin and there are lots of stumps showing up there. The second picture is in a meadow between the two cabins. The last picture was taken at 2200' of showing two of the Three Sisters while we were eating garlic shrimp and scallops for lunch. A great day and we rode in t-shirts all day.
Never blew a belt on either of the G4's, temps were in the 45-50 degree range, and oil consumption was very acceptable. A great day to be alive!
Here is a copy paste from Fernie.com Fernie News........... [FONT="]By Jon Turk[/FONT] [FONT="]I took a walk up to 2100 m (7000 ft) on a ridge behind Fernie Alpine Resort yesterday. Yes, you heard me right: I said walk, with no reference to skis. At ridgetop, the snow depth was 35 cm and weak, unconsolidated, surgery — rotten to the ground. I know that some keeners have been skiing up there, but I just couldn’t imagine making a single turn without hitting rocks, trees, stumps or whatever lurks below. I also know that if I chose my location more judiciously, or climbed a little higher, I might have found a slightly more favorable snowpack, but nitpicking aside, we’re off to a slow start to ski season.[/FONT]
First real ride today (the first week in October was just because I could and not really what one would call a ride but it did scratch the itch!!). Staged at Morrissey, up to the Wrangler's Cabin, over the Doug Dean trail to the Rolling Hills Cabin and back the same way. Hit a couple of secret meadows in-between the two cabins.
For a first report and first day out in the Rolling Hills, I would say it was good. But then again, I know where to go. Probed 60 cm in a quiet area around the new Wrangler's Cabin. Further along in a quiet meadow (not wind blown) I probed 105 cm. Like others have said, "there is no base". When you are stuck it is right to the dirt!!. Lots of hazards (I didn't tag any) and lots of hazards on the Doug Dean trail and the snow depth is evident in one of the pictures.
There has been no grooming but the Morrissey FSR, McEvoy FSR, around by the Wrangler's and around the summit to the Rolling Hills have been packed and set and they are smooth. The Doug Dean trail between the two cabins has not had a snowcat on it that I could tell.
It was a fun day. The meadows are a blast but scary due to hazards and no base. A person is riding deep as the snow is pretty light.