Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Getting dressed at the car - the coldest part of the outing.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel on his split board
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Trevor carried his flying saucer like a turtle shell
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
David's snowshoeing exuberance...
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
...ended badly
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
A Northern Pygmy Owl, barely visible in this photo, was the best bird of the day.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Trevor reclining for lunch
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel and David at lunch. I ate standing up because I forgot the shovel to dig myself a seat.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel by a big tree
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
David and Trevor in the last sunshine of the day
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Heading up towards the peak. The lower part of the basin has grown up some since I was last here, some two decades ago, but is still skiiable.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
In the upper basin
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
View west towards the lowlands
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel gaining the ridge. It was fairly uncomfortable up there, about 15F with a 20mph wind blowing bits of ice into our faces.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
On top of Bullion Peak
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
View east from Bullion Peak
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Looking down into the basin. The dots are David, Trevor and David's pack
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
David sliding by on Trevor's flying saucer
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
David sliding by on Trevor's flying saucer
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel riding down from the peak. The snow conditions, about 6" of somewhat drifted powder on top of a breakable crust, were decent for riding but a little challenging on my long narrow 25-year-old telemark skis.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel riding in Bullion Basin.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
It began to snow as we started our hike/ski/ride out of the basin.
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Trevor coming out of the woods
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Trevor
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
David
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
5PM back at the car
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Trevor at Ranchitos
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
David at Ranchitos
Hike/ski to Bullion Basin, Jan 11, 2011
Daniel, David, David's friend Trevor and I snowboarded/snowshoed/skied up to Bullion Basin on the last day of decent weather before they return to school. We started up the snowcat tracks around noon, took the usual shortcuts up the increasingly-overgrown former ski trails and stopped for lunch soon after we reached the base of the old burn area. When we were all too cold to eat anymore we continued up the trail into Bullion Basin. Trevor hung out in the basin while David snowshoed up to the ridge and Daniel and I skinned up to the peak. David slid down on Trevor's blue flying saucer; Daniel reassembled his split board and rode down and I telemarked down. It was my first time on tele skis in years and they were trickier than I remembered, but I managed. We made it out around dark and met Susan at Ranchitos for dinner, by which time we were pretty worn out.
Daniel at Ranchitos

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