It certainly is nice to have a snowy winter here in the West for 2016. The last 3 or 4 years have resulted in dismal next-to-nothing snowfall. So, for our Christmas ~ NewYears get away, we had the blessing of the Snow-Gods as we headed up to the northern tip of Sequoia National Park, the part where it gets all mixed up with the Sequoia National Forest. Up near Grant Grove.
Behind a closed gate (opened only for those with reservations) on a barely plowed Route 180, we made our way to Montecito Sequoia Lodge. A funky Mom & Pop style place, it was sort of a nice change from our previous stays at the more highbrow Wuksachi Lodge in the southern Sequoia N.P. Mostly a family summer camp, the lodge is also open in Winter and offers tons of XC skiing routes, snowshoeing, sledding and the occasional nighttime skate on their sizable pond - not to mention tons of gorgeous Sierra scenery.
When we arrived, I estimate there was about 30 (give or take) inches of snow. It was hard to tell since we arrived at night and it was really cold, but the sky was brilliant with stars and we were excited to finally get settled in our room. We had a day and a half of more snow later that week. Just what we were looking for: A snowy Sierra ski-venture. We loved it.
We spied a few deer during our first hike.
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The General Sherman Tree (a Giant Sequoia) is officially America's Christmas Tree each year. For Christmas week a huge decorated wreath is placed at its base.
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Virginia outside the little ski shop/rental place. Above? More guest rooms.
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Lot's of skiing!
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A lunch break on the observation deck. It's all self-serve all the time at the lodge. No chairs are setup, so grab them from inside along with a few beers. The view is fantastic:
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A view of the Sierra's Great Western Divide. 12,000 ft. high peaks out there.
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Sawtooth Peak is the most recognizable summit in the area at 12,343 ft. At the bottom of its swooping ridgeline is Sawtooth Pass leading to Columbine Lake.
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Shadow man in hot pursuit of a bunny.
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I don't care where these tracks lead, I'm going!
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We took the snowshoes up to Baldy Peak at 8000 ft. Above, we're nearly at the top.
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Baldy Peak summit.
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Looking West from the summit. Those are Giant Sequoia trees poking through the clouds.
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Lots of fresh snow.
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Another day in the woods. Another lunch break :)
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On top of the world. Everyone below is having a cloudy day.
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Hmmmm. A stack of granite donuts covered in frosting.
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A snowy day in the woods. The trees glazed with an icy, snowy blanket.
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Let it snow!
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A walk in the woods on a winters day. So quiet.
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Sun dropping, temperature dropping, stress dropping.
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More skiing.
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Another day in the woods, another lunch break :)
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Where have you been skiing this season? Leave your comments below! (Comment Password is: Life is good )