Location

The Columbia Gorge Chapter skied our traditional New Years Day ski up Clark Creek in awesome conditions. 12 CGC and one PDX skiers left Pocket Creek Sno-Park in temps below 10 degrees.  But that was perfect for maintaining the 6-8" deep whisper snow on a rain-flattened but solid base.  Even the plow-blown snow on top of the berm was great.

We had to poke around looking for the trail into the woods but Janet kept us heading in the right direction. Much of the trail looked like snow-coverd pick-up-sticx. That required breaking a very circuitous route through a maze of criss-crossing snow ridges atop hundreds of fallen trees. Elliot and Lloyd picked the best trail they could, but it still taxed most everyone.

Janet guided us away from Rocky Trail so we followed the Kate Creek Trail to the Clark Creek Trail junction and skied to the open slope with cloud-masked Mt. Hood looming above.  We took our snack break standing up on skis and taking posed pictures, then began the incredibly fun run back down our newly broken trail.

Coming down was a heavenly glide as we straightened out the trail at will and flew over the pick-up-stix with abandon.  When we wanted to follow the crazy trail we took up the turns were like glory-snow turns. A couple of hours up became less than an hour back down, and the smiles were glowing.  Then we all gathered around the snow bank for champagne and a 'unique' potluck while Mark and Elise Leon offered hot chocolate and donuts.

Then true to our new tradition of last year, we made a quick stop for brews and the real socializing at our favorite pizza place, The Sawtooth. By the end it was an awesome day and the perfect start to the new year.