Pear Lake Winter Hut Ski Tour - 2/25/2024 - 2/28/2024

Day 1 - Tour in with Mark and Max. Pear Lake Winter Hut is in Sequoia National Park on the west side of the Sierra, opposite Mt. Whitney to the east. Trailhead is just up the road from the giant sequoias there. Tour in is about 6 uphill miles with about 2500 feet of gain. With 30+ pound packs, it took us about 5 hours. Snow quality is hit or miss, depending on whether there has recently been any fresh snowfall, and for me has ranged in years past from hard, icy, and difficult to ski on all aspects to 3-6 inches of lovely, persistent powder during this trip. The hut has a host, 10 bunks with pads, 2 Coleman stoves, pots and pans, filtered water from the creek out back, and a finicky pellet stove that never gets quite warm enough. When conditions are good, there is more wild terrain to ski than you can shake a stick at and no lift lines or crowds for what feels like a hundred miles in every direction!

What it took to get here: My recent attempts to do this trip over the past few years were scuttled by a COVID pandemic, massive forest fires, or so much snow that it shut everything down. So, this time, considering I had to reserve months in advance, I lucked out happening to get some dates during a year without fires, without a pandemic, on a good snow year (enough snow), and between storms (not too much snow). My original partners dropped out a couple weeks prior to the trip due to injury, and after reaching out to everyone I knew who might be interested, I had pretty much given up hope. But I was finally able to find two partners at the last minute with backcountry experience, with alpine touring gear, and willing to make the commitment. Finally, I also managed to avoid catching whatever cold/flu my wife and son had been suffering from in the week prior to the trip. I'm actually amazed that it happened at all, and it went off without a hitch and was thoroughly enjoyable. (*photo by Max)

Good looking snow!

Skiing down the "Front Porch" to the hut

Arriving at the hut. In addition to the hut host, there were 2 other guys who came in the same day, and in the evenings we all enjoyed swapping ski beta, playing cards, and listening to music.

Getting in a quick climb and ski before dark

Day 2 - Exploring the Tablelands to the east of the hut. All north-facing aspects held about 3-6 inches of persistent, stable, light, dry powder during our entire trip.

Tableland summit

Skiing down from the summit toward Table Meadows. Beautiful, untouched snow as far as the eye can see.

Day 3 - Touring up to the "Soccer Field" on a bluebird day

Upward!

Gotta skin up to ski down. No lifts--or lift lines!--here.

To the summit! (*)

At the top

Chutes behind the summit to explore another day

After a long climb, time to ski! (photo by Mark)

Starting the ~2000 ft ski down from the top to the river valley. (*)

"Soccer Field" profile follows the skyline here...

...and continues down to the river. The trailhead is down valley somewhere there under the clouds.

Middle pillowy powder section

Creamy goodness

Pow turns just above the river (*)

Beautiful terrain for an afternoon on the skin track

(Photo by Mark)

End of the day (*)

Hut life

Thanks to a great hut host Javier for the hospitality! (*)

Day 4 - Mark skiing corn on the tour out

Back at the trailhead after about 3 hours of alternating corn skiing, tree dodging, and ice luging with 30+ lb packs. Time for a huge lunch of real food at Casa Mendoza in Three Rivers!