May 14, 2011, Silver Creek

I toured up to the Pinnacle and West Pk by way of Silver Crk yesterday. We usually do this tour in mid to late April as we wait for corn season. Turns usually aren't the best. This is the second weekend in a row I've dont this tour - glutton for punishment I guess. Anyway, conditions are definitely improving out there. Continuous snow at 3200', and much less punchy, maybe 4" poled penetration as compared to 12" last weekend. Lots of big crowns all around the basin. I actually got some decent turns off the ridge west of the Pinnacle and off the north ridge of West Pk. Last weekend I didn't even bother. Steeper angles were sending hissers. I'm always trying for an easier route up the valley, and yesterday's required some interesting creek crossings. The variable crust and mush in the trees made the return fast but a bit challenging for me. Made to the car just as the afternoon rain started.