New snow with reasonably warm temperatures and a mix of sun and cloud were the weather conditions for this trip. Start temperature of -9C with finish temperature of -1C. Some other people had skied a section of the trail before the viewpoints and then appeared to have bailed to the road. Otherwise, it appeared that we were the first users since the recent snow which covered the tracks. Arrival at Baker Creek was around noon where we lunched at a picnic table. Already a few of us were getting icing under our skis and a few of us stopped on the way back to clear it from their skis. Two of us did a ski of the west loop of the Protection Mountain Campground trailbreaking around the campground road loop giving a bit of a workout. The snow was found to be supportive when in the shelter of the trees but less so when sun exposed. The actual trackset loop was on the east end of the campground. Arrival back at the cars was around 3:00pm. A new trip for all but the coordinator and one other. Most seem to enjoy the scenery and views along the first part of the route.
Thanks to all for good company on a wonderful day to be in the mountains. Thanks to Bill for the photos.
Participants: Rosanne, Philip, Bill, Terry, Jim,
BobC/S
Photos to be uploaded shortly.