Home > Trip Reports > May 7, 2006, Half Moon Bowl, Rock Creek, Sierra

May 7, 2006, Half Moon Bowl, Rock Creek, Sierra

5/7/06
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Posted by Zap on 5/8/06 2:32pm
After an enjoyable ski of Pointless Peak, we decided to spend the night in Rock Creek Canyon and ski another area in the morning.  We parked the camper in the Rock Creek Sno Park at 8900 feet next to the stream. Trout season has opened and we watched €œthe boys€ try to fool a few trout €“ no takers.  It was a great site and out of our back window we watched the sun set off alpenglow on Mt. Morgan South at 13,748€™.

Up rather early and climbing by 8am (that€™s early for us).  Today€™s tour would be to Half Moon Bowl which is south of Pointless Peak and north of Mt. Starr.  It is a large cirque with descent lines on almost every aspect except east. We parked at the Pointless Peak area and toured skier left around the base of Pointless.  I looked back up at yesterday€™s descent route and noticed a minor slough had occurred after we departed yesterday.  The tour into Half Moon Bowl is gradual, through a sparse grove of trees, and then opens into a rock lined cirque.  We headed south and climbed the north facing slopes of Mt. Starr.  We skinned with our ski crampons until it became too steep; then it was time to harvest the corn.  Timing is everything and we had cream on a firm base from 11,500€™ to the camper at 9900€™.  It was a short day, but we also wanted to view the terrain in Pine Creek Canyon just north of Bishop. 

If you are in the Bishop area, you need to check out the terrain in Pine Creek Canyon.  WOW.  I have attached 2 photos. The first photo is a partial view of Half Moon Bowl. The second photo is of Scheelite Chute off the Wheeler Crest in Pine Creek Canyon.  The chute is 6000 vf and starts at 13,000€™ The photo was taken with the sun overhead,i but I think you get the idea.  No, it€™s not on our list, but I€™m certain a few of the TAY gang would enjoy the challenge.  Now, off to the Buttermilk area outside of Bishop for our next adventure.

Zap & Jill
Hello Zap & Jill,
Wow, from epic powder to deep blue skys and sunshine!  We've been enjoying your posting, and ongoing adventure - keep it up, and talk with you soon.
Gerry and Linda

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Zap
2006-05-08 21:32:12