In the late season (April/May) backcountry riders and skiers watch the CalTrans website religiously in anticipation of opening dates for the high sierra passes. When the passes open to cars they provide great access to some of the amazing terrain that is more difficult to get to in the winter. Here’s some pics from two of the popular passes in mid May.
Heading up Tioga Pass
Booting up Ellery Bowl
Looking down the Ripper Chute
Dropping
Mmcpheet our designated skier is next
Seth plays clean up
Skinning back up to the plateau
On top looking towards Mono Lake
Seth takes a quick break before we head over to Chute Out
Seth in the Chute Out chute
Chris
The next day we drove north to Sonora Pass
Seth skinning
The geology here is unique
Pick a line any line
Seth dropping into the Y Couloir
Chris
Seth on our second run
Venture plug at the pick up spot at the hairpin turn
Looking back
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