Monthly Archives: February 2008

I’ve eyed the north-facing gladded lines just south of West River Street for years. Recently, tracks have been laid down after big storms. On the drive back to Sierra Meadows, after a crowded day at Squaw, I think about taking a day to ski those lines myself. Yesterday we got eight inches and the time was right. I started from the top of Rainbow Street in Sierra Meadows. The summit terminal of the old Poma lift (the oldest ski lift in California) is located next to a water tank at the top of an access road above Rainbow. The Poma lift line down to the Cottonwood restaurant is not that steep (but pointing it on old wooden skis with no edges probably felt like it!), so I navigated skiers left across a meadow to access the steeper terrain facing West River Street. Here the slope steepens to around 34-degrees. Looking down at the Truckee River and West River Street, I dropped into the fresh eight inches. Though I could still feel the scratch below, the turns were fresh and the total vertical – from the top of the Poma to the Meadow by the Truckee River – was 400 feet. From there it’s a short skin or hike back to the Cottonwood. Laps here should be even better after the next big storm. -Rob McCormick

See photos here >>

The Benson Hut trip was a big success with warm sunny skies, an endless sunset, creamy corn and some dry powdery snow.

Yesterday I went to Squaw to check out the 48Straight events. While the competition was exciting, the slopes were wall to wall with people. Today, I’m getting away from the crowds and heading out on an overnight trip to the Benson Hut. The Sierra Club hut sits on Anderson Ridge above Truckee, between Squaw and Sugar Bowl. Our group of eight will head out from the top of Sugar Bowl’s Lincoln Chair this morning. The skin to the hut along the ridge takes around two hours. Then it’ll be time to drop our stuff, settle in and make some ski laps. Tomorrow morning we’ll have time for some more laps, before skiing down into Coldstream Canyon. On our way out, we’ll pass the Lost Trail Lodge and then return to Truckee. The weather is supposed to be warm (highs in the low 50′s and relatively calm and clear) so hopefully we’ll get some corn. I’ll post a trip report when I return.