Short, waxable ski recommendation

[socaltim]

hope to see you at mount Pinos this winter...
i'm working on building a portable row tow for the upper hill top as there is a nice clearing up there , so to get in more teleruns without hiking so much.. at 9000 feet my muscle effiencency drops off fast, and breathing hard is the main issue for me.

You are way more adventurous than I! I've never been to the top of Mt Pinos. First time up there, when I started climbing the grade out of the parking lot area, I decided I wasn't ready for the ride back down. To be fair, it was icy, my first time on skis in 10 years, and a lot of hikers and kids to avoid. Since then I have been stopping at the last campground on the left before you get to the top parking lot. There are some very gentle trails, just right for my speed.

But, getting bored with that. Hence the new gear. Or, at least that's the excuse. Got the BC boots, Salomon Escape Outback. I am guessing that will be the biggest game changer for stability and control. Was almost thinking maybe I don't need to go so much shorter on the skis, with this firmer NNN-BC attachment. But, still leaning toward the 187's.

So, this year, I will make it to the top. If I see a crazy guy carving through the trees, I will say hello.

all socal resorts are hell and $$$$. but i am curious to sneak into Mntain High area since they had the big fire that wiped out the resort. many roads and trails are closed to the public. : (

Last I heard, Mountain High plans on opening for the season. Apparently, they ran the snow making sprayers to keep the fire at bay. But, the Forest Service land in the fire area will be closed for at least a year. I am hoping they will just keep CA-2 closed at the gate by Mountain High. Then, I will ski on that. For sure, you could find some good telemarking slopes near there as well.

[blitzskier]

i would start practicing the hike up to the top now while its still easy.. the Hoks performed well up on those trails because they are so short and fat. I was able to snow plow safely around hikers and snow-shoer's who share the trail. This is impossible on 190-210cm skis
And the skin base give you lots of downhill control because it slower than an alpine ski due to the skin is not so fast.

i'm seriously looking at picking up an oxygen tank set up for my truck, they can be rented at elder care stores. or bought used on craigs-list
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/h ... 37185.html

but yeah finding gentle slopes in the 6000 foot range is more realistic in terms of cardio and lung function. i did some back-country on the north side of the Mnt High wrightwood area, where there is no resort. I recommend this spot for learning . its easy to drive up to the clearing next to the club house on the northside. table mountain

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Table ... FQAw%3D%3D

[socaltim]

but yeah finding gentle slopes in the 6000 foot range is more realistic in terms of cardio and lung function. i did some back-country on the north side of the Mnt High wrightwood area, where there is no resort. I recommend this spot for learning . its easy to drive up to the clearing next to the club house on the northside. table mountain

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Table ... FQAw%3D%3D

I scouted out that Table Mountain area last year, was on my way to Grassy Hollow, but CA-2 gate was closed at Mountain High for some reason. I was trying to decide whether there was enough snow when it started to come down. On the ground was borderline and I did not want to drive down through weather, so I bugged out. Glad I did, as I get hit with a tremendous deluge that brought traffic to a stop on 210. There were flash floods in the foothills. I guess it would have been a blizzard up top, which I think is why the gate was closed, if they could see that coming. I liked the looks of FS-4N21 on the way up to Table Mountain, for my style skiing, but it was bare that day.

The place I stop on Pinos is about 8000 feet, but gentle slopes, so I can work as hard as I want. I'd like to find something at the bottom, which is about 6000 feet. After a big storm, it can a week to open the gates. Hadn't thought about the easier oxygen level.

[blitzskier]

yes 4N21 is a nice xc ski route, its an easy hiking trail very flat.. and can lead you into a nice back country downhill ski run back down the hill to the Big Pines hwy , where you can possibly hitch hike back up to the parking area and do it over again.

the mnt pinos meeting spot is much lower elevation and also much less steep skiing. could be 6500-7000 foot level, much more tolerable aerobic workout
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mt+Pi ... FQAw%3D%3D
i like to head south-east of the parking area, as there are some interesting hills here, if you go West from the lot you end up in private properties. 9N15 route is something to check out

never been to the old ski lodge yet, but here's another area of interest while up there
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Old+S ... FQAw%3D%3D