Ester Dome singletrack with newly fallen snow

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Mike takes the trail less traveled up Ester Dome

Today, Mike Schmoker, Sonot Kkaazoot woodel guru was back in town after several weeks spent high altitude trekking in Peru. As he was the only SCUM showing up for our Wednesday Ester Dome ascent, I let him choose the route. Given that temperatures were around 30 deg with 12 to 18 mph SW winds, we opted to take the single-track trail up Ester Dome to Henderson Road.

Mike’s groomed track this morning

The wind protection was marvelous, but Mike’s high elevation acclimation made his pace rival that of Bernardo.

The clouds lifted and blue skies turned the trails magical

And unlike the SCUM mother, who is geographically challenged, Mike had a map in his head that mirrored those posted on the trail.

Mike finds the map
Unlike Bill’s maps that are sketched in the snow, Mike’s map was printed, sealed in plastic and posted on the trails.

Mike and I were both smiling through out hike:

Smiling Mike enjoying views of the valley

Mike’s fitness was again demonstrated when he fell but was too quick getting up for me to get a photo of his tumble:

Site of Mike’s first fall of the winter season.

If the National Weather Service is correct, we should be skiing soon. However, in the meantime, some of the trails less traveled will make for fun SCUM adventure workouts.

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