Ice Formations upstream Phelps Creek

Yesterday morning when we went for our morning hike we headed upstream on Phelps Creek and found it to be colder that heading downstream towards the Chiwawa River. It's quite easy to get there now because the alder is buried under the hardpack snow and there are ice bridges everywhere, some cover the creek completely. Peace, Bear & Lillie love getting out and hunting, following scents to every tree the find, and playing chase and having fun.
I'm also curious about the forecast we have been having for this week, I keep seeing fog forecast but we haven't seen fog or anythig else but beautiful blue skies with a few clouds on occasion. It has been about 4-8 degrees colder than being forecast for the nights which is causing moisture to be pulled from the snow and beautiful hoar frost on the surface of the snow, to me it looks like beautiful snow feathers some alsmost 3/4" tall and the dogs love to eat it as they are walking & playing. It looks like the cold temps will get colder through the weekend with Sunday down to possible -2. When hiking around we hardly leave footprints even in the hoar frost. It's been great to be able to go any direction we want each day without fear of post holing or the snow dropping out from under your feet, no need for snowshoesbut some good ice cleats don't hurt.

The water temp of Phelps Creek usually stays between 42& 47 year round until we get into single digit temps, upstream is not as open as downstream therefore it stays colder because of mountains on both sides, not as much sunlight reaches it at this time of year and it is why we are seeing the great ice formations in the creek, I think they are beautiful, hope you like them too.

I am really enjoying having the snow set up so well so early in the winter and I've been taking advantage if it and using it as part of the rehab on my knee. I go walking everyday with the dogs to exercise and keep my knees stronger, it's just very confining when it is so deep and POW with no bottom makes it much more dangerous, you never know if it will hold you or not. Becasue the snow looks like big white pillows and is uneven it makes for good therapy, helping me to strengthen both knees, up & down, crossing creeks, side hilling to get some places and inclines that challenge me without being so dangerous, each day we do a little more. Every morning we go out for a 1.5-2 hour walk and exploration, checking out places to ski and snowmobile that aren't usually accessible and then come in for brunch, which also helps the healing I normally don't eat but once a day. After brunch and a slight rest we head out again for another hour or so, everytime heading a different direction, I'm finding it to be great therapy and fun at the same time.

If you like being outdoors and hiking this is the time to get out and enjoy it, no snowshoes necessary, pack a snack and water and a good walking stick of choice and get out and enjoy. For those that like winter camping there are plenty of snowpits readily available from treewells and fallen trees that will protect you and give you a warm place to sleep.
No need for trails since you can literally walk anywere you want without having alders and vine maple everywhere to hinder you. Jump on your sled, grab your dogs or friends and get outside and enjoy this beautiful winter weather, it'll do you some good.
We found our Paradise, hope you find yours too. Peace

Exploring with Ivan on Snowmobiles

This winter I've been taking it easy letting my knee heal after surgery in August, all I've done as far as riding has been the tracked ATV just to keep the snow packed down and making it easier to get around. After the snow settling down and becoming hard packed and I do mean hard, I've been walking with the dogs and checking out places to ride that usually aren't accessable this early in the year, checking out ski runs and places to snowmobile that no one ever rides through the trees.
Today my friend Ivan came out to ride with me and just have some fun in the snow before he heads to Jackson Hole and then on a cruise. We rode down to the horse camp and Phelps Creek campground riding through the trees getting off the trails and making our own way and exploring some new ski runs that need to be named. We found many places on both sides of the river to ride and play lots of mid sized jumps and getting to ride along the river was a great feeling. The dogs had a great time chasing us and hunting anything that moved or the scents left by the martens and other critters we all got some good exercise. The morning started rather cold 14 degrees and Ivan got here at around 9:15 after a chilly 30 minutes ride out here, we had some coffee and caught up some but we had to get out in the snow and all. We headed out to the campground to look at some ski areas that need to be skied and enjoyed, we just need about12" of POW th really make it nice riding.


The places we went in the summer aren't accessable because of all of the mountain alder everywhere but now the snow is just deep enough to hold it down and the snow is hard enough it won't pop up and hit you, and we had 3-4 X's as much area as in other previous years to ride and the nice thing is you can't get stuck, it's a great feeling, and allows you to be more daring, it was wonderful and so much fun. With the 20 degree temp swings everyday into the teens at night and up to mid 30's to 40 during the day also cause some of the biggest snow feathers I've ever seen and each day the become larger, when you walk across them you hardly leave tracks across it. Today was a wonderful with a great friend & adopted family member and even though I will feel it tomorrow it was worth every little ache or pain, it was a big part of the healing process, being outdoors surrounded by the natural beauty all around is very magical.

We found our Paradise, hope you find your's too. Peace