Report and Photos by Dan Morris
Saturday – Snowed hard all day. Pete, Joshua, and I bush-whacked through a mile or two of thick overgrown mahogany –
conifer in lower Doe Canyon, in search of the Shangri- La powder fields that legend has it are up there. We had to hike
through the creek (N. fork Berry) and climb the steep embankment. We also had to un ski to cross a short rock slab in the
tight canyon.
Once we got through, numerous aspen filled bowls awaited us. We only had energy for 2 laps in the first. The powder was
very nice with really deep pockets. These aspen bowls are a little steeper than the west facing Timber creek aspens, and
have a slightly more southerly aspect. The upper parts of Doe Canyon remain unexplored ( at least by people I know.)
Meanwhile Mark, unable to roust himself for the grueling 8am start, came up after us. He wisely parked at the old cabin
which looked like a Wasatch trail head as many folks were up at the Berry Creek cabin. We parked( stuck) Joshua’s truck
just beyond that point. As Mark skied past our stuck truck and followed the snow – cat tracks that had taken the Berry
Creek cabin crew in, he came to a fork in the road, and being an adventurous soul followed our tracks instead of the snow
cat. He caught up to Joshua just as we were heading out and was not too happy with our choice of routes for the day.
Apparently he is very attached to his eyeballs. Fortunately no-one lost any on the pointy mahogany branches coming out.
And also fortunately, Mark graciously helped us dig out and winch out Joshua’s truck Thanks Mark.
the Aspen bowl just south of Weavers Bane. We did 3 big laps in very nice powder, over 5000 vertical feet
New snow went after 10 wrist taps and 2 elbow taps. -18 inch non consolidated, did not move off of column.
Weak layer about 2 feet down went after 10,10, and 6 from the shoulder, also not really consolidated. The area we dug
the pit was near the top of the ridge and subject to wind, so probably not indicative of a sheltered slope.
Another note – still about 6 inches of ground hoar, but it was a little bit consolidated – could not stick in fist, but 4 fingers.
We saw some folks skinning up the Give Thanks (southerly facing) aspens across timber creek. Not sure where they
ended up skiing.
 |  |  |  |