We had a lovely day on some rarely used (in winter) trails.
We set out from a cool and windy Elk Pass parking lot at 9. The next time that it was as windy was when we got back.
A pretty routine ski up Fox Creek and Elk Pass trails and the West Elk Pass meadows to the "Snowfa". From there it got interesting (for this scribe). We headed west directly up to Fox Lake.

Making our way up to Fox Lake

Mike, Jane and Bob at Fox Lake (Taiga viewpoint in bkg)

And from there followed the Upper Elk Lake summer trail to the Upper Elk Lake.


Carl and Jane leaving Fox Lake en route to Upper Elk Lake

Jane, Carl, and Bob approaching the first avalanche runout zone

Jane exiting the first avalanche (potential) path

Bridge on the new route to Upper Elk Lake (Mt De Gaulle in bkg)

Carl, Bob, and Jane at Upper Elk Lake

From there we went via the Lower lake to the Acc Chalet where we were able to lunch inside, thanks to a younger couple who had just arrived and allowed us to join them. And answer not a few questions about route and gear. We left the cabin at around 2 and headed up the Lower Elk lakes trail that parallels Elkan Creek.


Jane, Carl, and Bob crossing a meadow near the bottom of the Lower Elk Lake trail

There we had some problems, first with getting sufficient grip in the loose dry snow and then with a broken ski boot. So it took us quite a while to get back to the Snowfa, but were then able to finish the trip pretty quickly. And were back by 5:30.

Two were on short "Adventuring" skis, two on older back country skis, all mostly on skins.

Roughly 23 km with 450 m ascent.

Many thanks to Mike for coordinating this trip. Participants Bob, Jane, and Carl (S).

Our Route past West Elk Pass and the Snowfa

Our Route from West Elk Pass out on Upper trail back on Lower