March 2003 

 

Day One -- The Ski In:   I woke up at 5:45 to the smell of Eric's meatless sausage burritos.  After a hefty amount of commotion getting our gear sorted (which prompted a outburst of "you owe me BIG TIME man," from Dangerous Dave, Eric's roommate), we left and actually made it to the trailhead by 8am (where another round of parking lot "gear backgammon" ensued).   This early in the season, the road up Rock Creek is gated at the East Fork campground, a full five miles from road's end at Mosquito Flat.  Thus, our morning would be spent slogging up a snowy road until we got to the real good stuff.  Fortunately, the weather was perfect and the views from the road up into the valley were spectacular.  The five mile ski to Mosquito flat was accomplished relatively quickly and pain-free.   Along the way, we were treated with an upclose look at the east gullies on Pointless Peak and Mt. Starr, two chute skiing gems near Rock Creek Lake.   Beyond Mosquito Flat, we left the road and started skiing up the stairstep series of lakes that occupy the Little Lakes Valley -- Mack, Marsh, Heart and Box Lakes -- each of which seemed more beautiful than the last one.
Note:  clicking on any photograph will present a full screen version.
	Eric touring up the road.  Mt. Abbot looms in the distance.
	Mosquito Flat.  After about five miles of skiing up the road, you reach Mosquito Flat -- end of the road.  I'm on the minty green sumos.  Notice Nate's lightweight touring gear for the 8 mile approach:  Scarpa T-Race, Jaks and Linkens.   (photo:  C.Gallardo)
	Nate and Bear Creek Spire.  This beautiful peak sits at the head of the Little Lakes Valley and looms above you for the entire trip.
	Starr Gullies.  The east gullies of Mt. Starr appear to harbor some very nice ski descents.  This photo does not do justice to the length and steepness of these chutes.
	Ruby Wall.  This impressive cliff wall lies just south of Mt. Starr and to the north of Mt. Mills.
	View from Marsh Lake.  Pyramid Peak, Bear Creek Spire, Pipsqueak Spire, Mt. Dade, Treasure Peak and Mt. Abbot form the skyline.
	Skiing across Heart Lake.

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