Lynx Creek Ski - February & March 2022

In the middle of February 2022, a wet storm riding strong south winds pounded the mountains above Turnagain Arm, overloading the snowpack, and producing a dramatic avalanche cycle. We needed a snowpack that received less of a load, so headed south for the Johnson Pass trailhead. 

As we drove along the Arm we passed the terrifying remains of splintered trees, new avy paths, and concrete debris that had covered the road and railroad. My reptile brain screamed to go home and ride the Stairmaster, but we knew what we were seeing told us nothing about the stability, or lack thereof, in Lynx Creek.

Rolling into the parking lot we could see a couple big crowns in the headwaters of Lynx. As we skinned out of the parking lot and thru the two-stroke exhaust hanging in the valley I figured our odds of a shutdown on our objective of Captain's Chair were around 75%. Soon we were skipping across the flowing waters of Bench Creek; I love a good creek crossing and figured this was a good omen for the day.


As we entered the Lynx drainage we left the creek and started to gain altitude towards Captains Chair. But, not before first stopping to inspect the little cabin overseeing the valley. Tom and Erin took notes for their future cabin - especially on the importance of having a good supply of food for the local porcupine population. 


Entering the hanging valley below our objective we could see that the chute had already slid. Sweet. We weren't in for a complete shutdown.

Bench Peak Ski - 4.9.2020

For some reason no one could ski Bench peak on Thursday, so the day started as they do when I have no accountability: I didn't get out of bed. I eventually stopped hitting snooze and was running out the door sometime after 9:00.

Turnagain is usually a mid winter ski destination with the commute in the dark. It was a treat to do the drive in the glory of daylight. The raw beauty of the rainbow of grays of Turnagain Arm ice never gets old, and driving thru the glacier carved U of the pass in full sun was special.


There were a couple inches of new snow when I pulled into Johnson Pass. And, skinning away from the car, the trail was criss-crossed by tracks of snowshoe hares on their way to breakfast. The non-motorized route was bumpy and indirect, so I left it in favor of the quasi grooming of the snowmobile tracks. The first few miles thru the valley bottom went quickly and I soon left the Johnson Pass trail and headed for Center Creek.


Progress slowed as I was forced off the creek by road blocks of open water in the gorge. Skinning up and down thru the grabby suncrust and pine cones of the woods was comical and inefficient, but the crust was firm and there was no partner to suggest more practical routes, so I kept making pretty good time. Entering the space between the Pastoral and Bench Peak massifs the valley opened up. Behind, Silvertip and Twin Peaks rose above Johnson Pass.

Johnson Pass MTB - 9.8.2013

As we all know, I'm not a morning person. Last Sunday was a typical morning for me: I slept in, saw that it was raining, and immediately decided that it was going to be a horrible day. Around 9:30 I thought I might as well check the forecast, discovering that it was supposed to be quite nice in the afternoon. I figured I'd get some chores done and head out for a short afternoon ride. Around noon I realized I should take advantage of the good weather and get out for a longer ride.

It was a bit late to look for adventure buddies or a car shuttle, but, regardless, by 2 PM I was at the trailhead with 40 km of singletrack followed by a 50 km return on the road ahead of me. I always struggle with getting intimidated by long rides; with the prospect of bears, bad weather, and sunset this was no exception.

The first bit of the ride through forests and meadows was flat, mellow, and fast. Looking back northwest towards the trailhead:


The trail crosses several beautiful glacial streams as it slowly gains elevation towards the Pass. Bench Creek:


Endless deserted singletrack: