Donner Summit, June 5, 2017

Spence’s description:
“Yesterday (6/5), Stev and I found some decent snow and some cool chutes starting from the Donner Summit Trails parking lot on the southside of Hwy 80 (Boreal exit). We hiked in (in hiking boots as the snow was firm) and skied several lines somewhere to the Northeast of the Boreal and Donner Ski Ranch boundaries, overlooking Donner Lake and Hwy 80. Lottsa sun-cups on the east facing slopes, but all the stuff in the trees/shade was nice. There are a few lakes back there (still trying to figure out which lake we ended up skiing above). They are still frozen. Skied–well at least skated, traversed, and were on snow–all the way back to the vehicles.”

Spence discovers well-preserved, high-elevation, dinosaur turd fossils near the top of our approach.

Spence starts our first run with a mini cornice drop.

Stev on our first run with Donner Lake in the background. Northstar Ski Resort is in the distant background.

Stev further down on our first run.

Spence on the giant tree well giant slalom course.

Spence further down on the giant tree well giant slalom course.

Stev slarves around the tree branches and trunks.

Stev skis toward a frozen over Azalea Lake.

Spence finds an interesting opening above Azalea Lake.

Spence heads down for his fourth run of the day.

Stev follows.

Spence finds a fun path on our return run.

Stev find a fun opening on our return run.

Stev skiing out on the return run.

Castle Peak, our next destination, can be seen in the background.

Spence skiing further down on the return run.

We were able to ski down to within steps of where we parked.