Pontiac Lookout

After yesterday's "running out of snow" ski outing I figured a beginning of season Fire Tower hike was in order and the weather was forecast to be downright summer-like. With the snow disapearing up top I thought there would be little or none on the west facing side of the escarpment. New camera (Canon SX-10) in hand I parked amid a long line of cars and set off down the muddy entrance road to the summer parking lot with the roar of the falls clearly audible.

I was surprised by the amount of snow and ice still there. The falls themselves have a few sections of ice and snow clinging to the rock and several sections of the creek higher up are mostly bridged from one side to the other with ice and snow. I hiked as far as the Pontiac Lookout and went no further as the next section of the hike was completely snow covered. That said it was a prime day to stay a while and catch some rays!

Spring skiing

In what was likely the last ski of the season, Bryan, Ken and I set out from P10 at about 10:30 for some spring skiing. As we made our way up the Fortune Parkway it seemed as though we had our own personal groomers as we were passed twice by two grooming machines. The freshly groomed tracks ranged from icy to soft to downright slush and they progressed towards the latter as the day progressed. But how could one complain when out skiing in shorts and thin fleece with the temps above 10C?

We headed up Ridge road, stopping briefly at Shilly shally and Huron before settling in a Brulé lookout where we had our pick of the picnic tables that were buried under snow the last time I was there. No woodstove to toast our sandwiches but a gentle breeze and warm sun. The occasional skier passed below on the Champlain parkway that was mostly pavement. There was a thin ribbon of snow about 2 feet wide! After lunch and some beverages, Ken announced that he was returning to work. Was he getting paid to ski?

Bryan and I then headed west. We went first to Champlain lookout which was bare pavement and the view along the escarpment showed no evidence of snow. We then continued to Western cabin. The trail there ended about 30 yards from the cabin, just past the duct taped ICE sign. We enjoyed a half hour sitting out back before setting out for P10. The trails were softer but still skiable and that last 2K down the parkway was more effort than normal but still a sweet way to end a ski day.

This was a great day and a great way to end a ski season that was four months long by my count! OK, now to plan my assault on the 46er patch!

Shoulda brought my skates

One place I had not yet been in Gatineau Park this winter was Western cabin. Given the sunny warm day forecast I headed up there to take in the view from the bench behind the cabin. Western sits right on the western edge of the escarpment with a sweet view of the Ottawa river valley. A prime spot to sit and take in some rays on a sunny spring day.

While it has been springlike and the day was warm and sunny, the trails were crusty and slick. I took the direct approach from P12 and headed up the black trail. On the steepest sections I decided to take off my skis and walk up which was much faster (and an early warm up for hiking season). The only sections of trail that were not icy were those exposed to direct sunlight and no wind. I found myself gliding on parts that looked flat with little or no effort. On the short trail heading down to Western there was a tree limb across the trail to stop people as the last 50 yards were sheer ice. Yet again I did a little walking.

A relaxing half hour on the bench behind the hut enjoying my toasted sandwich and watching a chipmunk run around digging up nuts. The ride back to P12 was exciting. Great care was taken to try to not build up too much speed as the crust was not much help when trying to slow down. A potential crisis was narrowly averted near the end as my skis could not agree on which way to go but I managed to gather them back up just in time and use a "run off lane".

A great day to be out but I think I will choose some flatter terrain for tomorrow or do some hiking instead.

Melting Away

With a monsoon forecast for tonight and temperatures hovering at or above zero for the last week or so I headed for my favorite Gatineau Park ski, P19 to Lusk Lake. I'm sure it got above the forecast high of +7C on this sunny day. The parking lot was a muddy mess but there were still a lot of cars there this morning. The track was somewhat icy but also soft and it did not look like it had been groomed in a while. The melting was evident everywhere and especially on each of the lakes that I passed by. There was no snow cover at all and although there was still ice it was covered by a fair amount of standing water.

I got to Lusk cabin and had it to myself so I installed myself on the porch after stoking the fire inside and putting my sandwich on to heat. Some five minutes later the first of a big group arrived and broke the sweet silence. The kicker was the guy who arrived after the main group wearing a tank top and shorts! No real complaints though as it is hard to beat a warm day sitting on that porch soaking up the rays. About an hour and a half later I headed back down the trail and back to the car.

There is still plenty of snow up there but it seems to be melting away quickly so get out while you can!