Backcountry in SoCal?

[loafskibum]

I am living out in Santa Clarita, CA this winter and wondering if anyone knows of any good backcountry skiing that is close....?

[RR]

I am living out in Santa Clarita, CA this winter and wondering if anyone knows of any good backcountry skiing that is close....?A lot of the Tele Tippers tour between Yo Valley and Mamoth...check EricO's TRs at http://telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=1. Search for threads authored by him.

[stoneman]

As RR said there's alot of info on Telemark tips. Closer to you i think there is some decent stuff in the san bernadino mtns - like mt Baldy or something.

[Rider.Steve]

As RR said there's alot of info on Telemark tips. Closer to you i think there is some decent stuff in the san bernadino mtns - like mt Baldy or something.

If he goes to San Ber'dino he'll be stuck there for life:

"She's in love with a boy
From the rodeo
Who pulls the rope on the chute
When they let those suckers go
(Yeah-hey! Suckers!)

He got slobberin' drunk at the Palomino
They give him thirty days in San Ber'dino

Well there's forty-four men
Stashed away in Tank "C"
An' there's only one shower
But it don't apply to Bobby

You may think they're
Dumb an' lonely
But you're wrong
'Cause their love is strong
Stacked-up hair
An' a cheap little ring
They don't care
'Cause it don't mean a thing...


The rest of their lives
In San Ber'dino
Gonna spend the rest of their lives
In San Ber'dino
Gonna spend the rest of their lives
Down in San Ber'dino
Come on with me
Come on with me
Come on with me....."



The mountains near Lee Vining are a little farther than Mammoth from LA, but they seem to hold amazing snow. Like they said, TTips has the goods.

[djming]

Yes, quite a bit out there. Mt. Baldy is a nice area, and not too far from you.

2 guide books to check out - Ski Tours in Southern California by Daniel Anderson covers quite a bit in your area.

If you feel like venturing north and east into the southern Sierra (say, Bishop area), then by all means check out Backcountry Skiing California's Eastern Sierra by Dan Mingori and Nate Greenberg. If you have trouble locating a copy shoot me a PM and I'll give you Dan's contact info (who happens to be my brother) to see about a copy.

[Cat in January]

Backcountry Skiing California's Eastern Sierra

I gave my copy to a friend out there. Amazing, amazing guide book. Great photos, layout and descriptions.

[JAS71]

The Baldy Bowl, as mentioned by a few, also has a Sierra Club hut for spending the night.

Some good info at:

http://www.sierradescents.com/skiing/

And a real back back country adventure in SoCal:

http://www.sierradescents.com/skiing/iron-mountain/couloir-to-nowhere.html

[Dr. W. Schlitz]

Anywhere in the eastern Sierras will be awesome, but I highly recommend the Bridgeport area and Tioga Pass. There are definitely closer areas to Southern CA but I'm not very familiar with them since I lived in SF and that was too long of a trip.

Get that guidebook that Cat mentioned (it's incredible), and the east side of the Sierras is absolutely worth the extra drive that becomes a lot shorter in mid-May when the passes begin to re-open (monitor CalTrans closely for that info).

[djming]

Very cool that others are finding this book so worthwhile.
I just talked to my brother, and the book is currently completely out of stock, and he doesn't know of anywhere you can get one right now. But, a 2nd print run should be ready (hopefully) by end of November, then it will be available thru Wolverine Publishing, Amazon, etc. Once it's ready, Mammoth Mountaineering in both Bishop and Mammoth Lakes will carry it.
He's also actively "working" on a 2nd edition with expanded territory.

And definitely check out Baldy Bowl. A very "Tuck's like" feel to it with a neat hike in. Tuck's has some steeper stuff, but the runs are longer, more like GOS. Some great tree skiing as well.

[Cat in January]

That is so cool it is your brother-My favorite guidebook I have ever held in my hands on the crappier. Very pleased it will be available again.

loafskibum, there is an Alpine club that is active in Southern California. I am sure a quick google would bring them up. That would be where I would start.

This is a great BC message board, but it is based out of Truckee (http://www.thebackcountry.net/bb/index.php).

Bunch of Back Country places to stay out there.
My pick is Mosquitoe Flats Hut
$25.00 per person, per night
Located at an elevation of 10,250'
on the edge of the John Muir
Wilderness at the head of the
impressive Little Lakes Valley.
available through Rock Creek Lodge (http://www.rockcreeklodge.com/winter/)

Here are some places you could check out:
California

BaseCamp Lodge--BaseCamp in Bear Valley, CA is owned and operated by Mountain Adventure Seminars, a year-round guiding service. BaseCamp offers skiers, hikers, and climbers an inexpensive yet comfortable, friendly, and welcoming place to stay while recreating in Bear Valley.

Clair Tappaan Lodge--19940 Donner Pass Road (Old Highway 40), P.O. Box 36, Norden, CA 95724, phone: (530) 426-3632. The Sierra Club also maintains four backcountry huts in the Donner Pass/Lake Tahoe area. Each hut is about a day's journey from various roadheads. The Peter Grubb, Benson, Bradley and Ludlow huts are rustic shelters with wood burning stoves. Bring your own food, supplies and sleeping bag. Make reservations through the Clair Tappaan Lodge.

Meiss Ski Hut--owned by Dave Beck and friends. This historic, backcountry structure is located near Carson Pass (Highway 88) and Kirkwood, CA. It takes a couple of hours to ski into the hut.

Pear Lake Hut--the finest wilderness hut in the Sierra Nevada in prime backcountry ski terrain. Located at 9,200 feet in Sequoia National Park. Sleeps 10 and is available for winter use only.

Rock Creek Winter Lodge--Route 1, Box 12, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, phone: (760) 935-4170. It is a two mile ski to the lodge on a groomed road. They groom the Rock Creek Road three more miles to the wilderness boundary where the backcountry skiing starts to get good.

Sorensen's Resort--located east of the intersection of Highway 88 and 89, 14255 Highway 88, Hope Valley, CA, 96120, phone: (800) 423-9949 or (530) 694-2203. Located in the heart of beautiful Hope Valley at 7,000 feet, south of Lake Tahoe.

Tamarack Lodge--P.O. Box 69, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, phone: (760) 934-2442. At the end of the plowed Lake Mary road west of Mammoth Lakes. Great cross-country skiing at your door step with great views of Banner, Ritter and the Minarets from the top of the ridge.

[Nature]

The newest edition of powder has an article on micah black hitten up a bunch of socal bc haunts I'd check it out

[loafskibum]

Thanks for the info everyone!