8 Dec 02, 0800 - 1300, Snowy Range.  Todd Thibodeau
and I skied with two other skiers and two dogs.
We traveled from Green Rock Parking Area to Towner 
Lake and back, following the north fork of Sally 
Creek westward, crossing Rte 130, and skiing up 
Telephone Creek.  Snow conditions are skimpy for 
this time of year:  bare ground shows in many 
open places, and outside the heavy timber the 
snow pack is too sporadic to make a snowpit 
worthwhile.  Where snow has accumulated, it is 
either windpacked or, in sheltered areas, sugary 
and faceted throughout the column.

It was bitter cold, at 9 F, when we started, and
there were only 8 vehicles parked on the side of
Rte 130.  By mid-morning, temperatures were much
more pleasant (mid-20s F).  Wind was calm.

It's still rock-ski season in the Snowy Range
backcountry.