April 2003

 

... Continued We started our Matterhorn Peak adventure like we do all trips to the Sawtooth – by hiking through the RV park at Mono Village to the curious stares of the fisherman/good ‘ol boy crowd.  “Is there enough snow up there?”  “You gonna hike all the way up there?”  After a few friendly waves and chit-chat, we hiked out of the RV park and across Robinson Creek.  Unlike our trip in late April last year, the snowline was pretty much right at lake level.  The trip in 2002 required over 1,000’ of hiking to reach a skiable snowpack.  Also, unlike last year’s trip, the weather on this day was perfect – bluebird skies and fresh snow everywhere. We skinned up on the other side of the creek and immediately began the steep climb to get into Horse Creek Canyon.  The sun hadn’t yet warmed these lower north-facing slopes, and our skin track led us directly up a steep, slick and bulletproof surface.  Challenging conditions to say the least.  After about 45 minutes of tough ascending, the terrain flattened out and we skied into a broad U-shaped valley with views up towards Matterhorn Peak, the Dragtooth, and the aptly-named “Doodad”. Note:  clicking on any photograph will present a full screen version.
	Crater Crest.  Another of the "guide book" peaks in the Twin Lakes area, Crater Crest has several nice looking gullies that drop down towards lake level.
	Cruising through RV Land.  To access the Sawtooth Ridge from the Bridgeport side, you have to walk through Mono Village.  Although the road is open year round, the village is only open from the opening of fishing season (last week in April) until late Fall.   Here, Ben and Jeff shoulder their skis through RV hell on the way to Horse Creek (visible at upper left)
	Matterhorn, Dragtooth & the "Doodad".  After a steep climb from Twin Lakes, you flatten out a bit and get this awesome view of the eastern end of the Sawtooth Ridge.  From left to right:  is the east shoulder of Matterhorn Peak, the Ski Dreams Couloir, the East Couloir, the North Arete of Matterhorn, the Dragtooth (the broad trapezoid), and the "Doodad".   Below:  Jeff and I resting after the steep climb from Twin Lakes (photo below:  J.Huber).
	Horse Creek Peak.  This impressive peak dominates the upper part of Horse Creek Canyon.  At its base, the canyon forks.  The right hand branch leads up to Horse Creek Pass and into Yosemite NP, while the left branch leads up to the glacier at the base of Twin Peaks.

^{BACK               NEXT}