LobsterTeleGrrrl
New member
Saddleback 2/19/05
When I left my house I wasn't sure if we were going to hike up and bag Saddleback Peak and the Horn, or ride the chair. Frigid temps prevailed, so we bought lift tickets and booted up in the new lodge. Wow, the new owners are really going all out! I love the post and beam construction, the huge windows that look to surrounding peaks, and the soon to be stone fireplace.
Trail Conditions
I expected icy conditions with frozen granular at best, but was pleasantly surprised when we started up the lift
There's something to be said about a t-bar summit lift, it really slows down skier traffic so nothing gets skied off real fast. Powder prevailed above 3K, breakable crust off piste below 3K. The groomers were carvable with a few patches of ice. I skied under the double lift at 11:00 and still had fresh corduroy 
Trip Report
It was cold. at 8:30 it was -18F at the top of the t-bar. We decided to ski aggressive to keep warm, so we headed over to the steeper terrain.
I found a high traverse leading into the woods and decided to follow the trail.
After about 1/4 to 3/8 of a mile the traverse ends at a trail called Mule Skinner. It's the only trail over this far, and ended up being the perfect trail for me. No snowmaking, no grooming, rocks and roots and small trees poking up all over. Not too wide, winding down the fall line, no wind, no people (8 others all day), and soft snow
Not to mention the rime ice was really pretty
The warming hut at the top of the double chair was key in keeping fingers and toes warm. The ski patrol hauled up a donated futon yesterday which made for some cozy seating next to the fire. There's also a microwave and picnic table inside the hut.
Tight Line, also off the T-bar was a groomed trail with nice whalebacks to ski over. The headwall at the top of the trail doesn't hold much snow, the first 10-12 turns are on solid ice.
The crowds must have been on the blue groomers, we saw about 10 people all day where we skied.
Apre ski was in the Swig and Smelt. Any bar with a name like that is worthy of a beer. Live music by Stevie Ray Vaughn look-alike Roy Hudson Band provided a fine assortment of blues and southern rock. Carrabassett pale ale and nachos tasted perfect after a great day of skiing.
LobsterTeleGrrrl
When I left my house I wasn't sure if we were going to hike up and bag Saddleback Peak and the Horn, or ride the chair. Frigid temps prevailed, so we bought lift tickets and booted up in the new lodge. Wow, the new owners are really going all out! I love the post and beam construction, the huge windows that look to surrounding peaks, and the soon to be stone fireplace.
Trail Conditions
I expected icy conditions with frozen granular at best, but was pleasantly surprised when we started up the lift
There's something to be said about a t-bar summit lift, it really slows down skier traffic so nothing gets skied off real fast. Powder prevailed above 3K, breakable crust off piste below 3K. The groomers were carvable with a few patches of ice. I skied under the double lift at 11:00 and still had fresh corduroy
Trip Report
It was cold. at 8:30 it was -18F at the top of the t-bar. We decided to ski aggressive to keep warm, so we headed over to the steeper terrain.
I found a high traverse leading into the woods and decided to follow the trail.
After about 1/4 to 3/8 of a mile the traverse ends at a trail called Mule Skinner. It's the only trail over this far, and ended up being the perfect trail for me. No snowmaking, no grooming, rocks and roots and small trees poking up all over. Not too wide, winding down the fall line, no wind, no people (8 others all day), and soft snow
Not to mention the rime ice was really pretty
The warming hut at the top of the double chair was key in keeping fingers and toes warm. The ski patrol hauled up a donated futon yesterday which made for some cozy seating next to the fire. There's also a microwave and picnic table inside the hut.
Tight Line, also off the T-bar was a groomed trail with nice whalebacks to ski over. The headwall at the top of the trail doesn't hold much snow, the first 10-12 turns are on solid ice.
The crowds must have been on the blue groomers, we saw about 10 people all day where we skied.
Apre ski was in the Swig and Smelt. Any bar with a name like that is worthy of a beer. Live music by Stevie Ray Vaughn look-alike Roy Hudson Band provided a fine assortment of blues and southern rock. Carrabassett pale ale and nachos tasted perfect after a great day of skiing.
LobsterTeleGrrrl
