All I want for Christmas

Forecast today called for 5cm more snow and that is what I encountered as I headed up the Fortune Parkway from P10. It was warmer today than yesterday and the new snow is welcome. It doesn't look like they have groomed yet but perhaps that is because the base is too thin? I encountered some asphalt near the top of the hill from P10 and the occasional pole hit the road but who's complaining. Not me for sure. Also, a good sign when people are snowshoeing into Keogan from Camp Fortune. More snow forecast for early in the week. Let's hope we get another big dump. That's all I want for Christmas!

More comparison photos...

Looking for snow

We are currently in-between seasons. Fall is almost past and the leaves long since dropped. The days are pretty cold and daylight is too short for any long hikes in the Adirondacks. Although we were teased with some of the white stuff a few weeks ago there is no snow on the ground either. I figured I would head up to the Gatineau Park today for a hike and check if there was any snow hiding at higher elevations. There was none.

I hiked from P7 along Ridge road to the intersection with the Fortune Parkway. The main trail was mostly dry but all the side trails looked pretty wet. It was pretty quiet with the occasional group of hikers and a few mountain bikers. The wind was definitely winter like but not carrying any white flakes. I stopped at Keogan for a while taking photos of blue jays at the bird feeder. That got me thinking that I was kind of hungry so I headed back. Near the top of Suicide corner I saw a ten pointer male white tailed deer. Although he strutted slowly across the trail I was too slow getting my camera out of the bag. It is not uncommon to see females and youngsters but that is the first time I have ever seen a male.  Too bad because that would have made an awesome photo! The forecast for next week does mention some flurries. Let's hope they stick.

Friday Ski Day

Bryan and I took friday off to enjoy the snow that has fallen this week. Turns out there is a lot more of it in Gatineau Park than we thought. We got to P10 around 11 and had to wait for a car to leave in order to get a parking spot. While we were waiting Bryan managed to bend one of his poles AND fall on his can. I showed the correct amount of concern (none) and captured the event on film.

The first few kilometres are steady uphill but the fresh show was sticky and it was an easier climb than previous times. Once past Fortune lake we made a side trip on one of the black diamond trails in the woods. Again there is tons of snow in there, off trail it is at least knee deep. Eventually we arrived at Keogan shelter which is a small hut with about 10 picnic tables and a woodstove. The usual lunch of a toasted sandwich cooked to perfection on the top of the stove was served up. The skies had cleared a bit as we headed back down which made for some nice photos. We stopped in Chelsea for an apres ski poutine at a spot that claims best poutine in the world. Hmm, not sure about that one, but today was sure a great day to be out skiing in the park!