April 30, 2004, Gaylor Peak, Tioga Pass,CA

As we stopped along the access road to Tioga Pass to make a cell call to Lassen Park, we see Bryan, Carol and Paul drive along side.  We figured they would hear about the road opening and be here.    They stopped at the Saddlebag Lake trailhead for their approach to False White.  Jill and I drove to the end of the plowed road above Tioga Lake and at the base of Gaylor Peak.  It was another sunny and windless day.  There were a lot more skiers today but there were only two other skiers heading in our direction.  The skinning began 2 feet from the camper.  You know how much I love this type of skiing.  The ascent was a mix of rolls and trees with a direct approach towards the summit.  The final 300 vertical required us to pack the skis and kick steps.  Today the guys ahead put in the steps and I just added an extra step in between each of their steps for Jills shorter but very female legs.  The views from the summit at 11,004feet were stunning.  The nearby Gaylor Lakes below us were surrounded by granite walls, the ridge line to False White, Tioga Pass Resort, Mt. Dana and Yosemite.  The descent was way too much fun in the corn snow.  The other guys skied the ascent route while we located the natural half pipe that descended to the camper.  Our lines were a thing of beauty and should last till the masses arrive on Saturday.  Well, we have been ski bumming it for a month now and need to start heading back north.  Still have our sights on Lassen and Shasta.

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