Smuggs: Exploring

Smuggs from Chilcoot

The snow forecast was a bust with barely an inch of fresh. But the forecast wasn’t for much more and I hadn’t planned on a powder day. Word on the ‘net was that Smuggs was solid packed powder despite not much new snow during the last two weeks. So I did as I do when the snow is packed and the powder has long since been tracked: I go exploring.

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A Jay “Powder” Day

Jay Trees

Early and late season powder days are usually my favorite of the season. Especially when almost all of New England is receiving a drenching rain. Shoulder season means fewer people. Rain in metro areas means even fewer still. After two shit springs, March finally delivered. But few stick around to enjoy the harvest.

After driving almost two hours through rain and upper 30 degree temperatures, I must admit to having my doubts. I passed through Jay village and began the ascent up 242 but the temperature was not dropping. The rain was not changing to snow. But when I opened my car door at the base area, sure enough, the precipitation was frozen.

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Smuggs: Just for the Historical Record

I wasn’t feeling it today. The snow was wind blown and stripped. A little wind blown natural snow remained from the powder day two days ago. But for the most part, any remaining snow was blown clear of the mountain. The wind was fierce, the snow was wind blown packed, and I was feeling tired and uninspired. I packed it in after two runs due to exhaustion and fatigue. An entry just for the historical record if there ever was one.