Lower Elk L (via Elk Pass) Trail Skiing on 26-Nov-2005
A Mexica Fiesta in B.C. for ten (well maybe eleven). In spite of poor trail condition reports and dire weather warnings we had a fantastic weekend.
Thanks are due mainly to David for booking the beautiful ACC chalet and calling the trip, and to Anita and Marianne for organizing the Mexican theme and cooking appropriate dinner and breakfast. The men get credit for hauling over the stereo, the wine and the beergaritas. And the women brought their joie de vivre.

Ola! Skiing Mexican Style! (The Turret in the background) The snow conditions were reasonable on the way over Elk Pass on Saturday with the exception of the last kilometer down to the road from Elkford which had been bulldozed recently and so only had two cm of snow.

Wild CatThe trail to the Elk Lakes which some of us skied on Saturday afternoon was almost hikeable but we made it on skis to the Upper Elk Lake. On Saturday evening the weatherman’s promised 5 to 10 cm came, but without the accompanying poor weather and cold temperatures. So conditions were much better on Sunday. Our excursion to the Lower Elk Lake lookout which is a steep hiking trail provided a significant challenge for a few of the group.

Elk Lakes CabinKaare had had to cancel off the trip and then was again available after his spot was taken. So he skied over with a huge (64 lb) pack and set up camp beside the hut, hence the question of whether we were ten or eleven.

Kaare's quarters Saturday evening was a blur of laughter, wonderful company, fine food, plenty of drink, more laughter, Mexican music, dancing senoritas, tricks with hats and wine bladders, conversation both serious and frivolous, and much more laughter. It was a great introductory overnight Rambler trip for this rookie member, thanks all.

Senoritas with Beergaritas

Much Laughter

And More Laughter We saw a cow moose on the road near Boulton creek, and a bull moose was not to be about be disturbed from taking his breakfast a 100 meters away from the chalet on Sunday morning.

Moose very close to Elk Lakes ACC HutA buck mule deer (and whisky jacks) joined us when we took breaks at the top of Elk Pass.

Heading Home Señoritas: Anita, Carmie, Christine,Ginger, and Marianne
Señors: David (coordinator), Garry(photos), Jim, Kaare, Ron, Carl (scribe and photos)