Photo From The Multiuse Trails Coalition Archives

Mt Pinos Epic

A couple of years ago if I had heard Mammoth just picked up over two feet of snow I would be in my car headed up there just for the day. Well maybe I am getting older, or lazier, or whatever but I did not head up to Mammoth this weekend and good thing I did not. I found Mt Pinos to have primo powder following last weeks small storm and definitely the place to be.

I met with locals Ian, Ross, and Kevin at the trailhead all of whom were snowshoeing it to the top. A couple of other locals helped break trail with their snowshoes on the way up to Mcgill Campground. The snow in the upper bowls was well over a foot and as good and fluffy as can be seen in any mags or videos.

Following the first run, subsequent climbs up the trail became easier and easier especially when on skins. It is a lot of work but the payoff comes when you are able to take runs all day and make fresh tracks on every run. The photos do not do justice to the epic conditions out on Mt Pinos!- Dave

View Of The Sig Bowls

The Trail Is A Little Difficult To Follow At Times
Nearing The Top

MMM MMM Good!

Ian, Ross, and Kevin On The Ski Lift

Payback- Ian and Ross

Kevin

Ian Catching Air Off The Natural Terrain

Los Padres N.F. Snowboard Session

This past Tuesday I had a little free time so I decided to take advantage of the nice snow mother nature had brought us. Mt. Pinos was the location, in the far eastern part of the LPNF. Great place to bike in the Summer also as the mountain has a great 6 mile single track that goes from top to bottom. That single track, also known as the McGill trail was my starting point. My weapon of choice was my Burton Omen split snowboard. For those of you unfamiliar, this is a snowboard that splits into skis that enable you to climb up hill, then click back into a snowboard for the fun ride home.

Unlike many previous adventures in the snow, someone else had already "broken trail". Breaking trail is difficult and much more work than just following where others have already skied. I followed the McGill Trail uphill for about 2 miles and approximately 1500 ft before deciding to head back down. The area I dropped into is known as the Signature Bowls. These bowls are really steep and provide some excellent terrain but are a huge avalanche danger as well. The views all along this trail were spectacular down into neighboring valleys. The weather was perfect, clear and in the 30's, and very little wind. The snow could have been a little deeper in spots, but who's complaining. I have to say I probably like backcountry snowboarding better than resort boarding because the crowds are nil and the effort makes it so much sweeter. The trip was successful and as always I snapped a couple of shots to remember the adventure.

McGill Trail Head

No Yielding Today

Sig. Bowl/ My Trail

The Views

Me Right Before Unsplitting