February 3-5, 2006

Bill Priedhorsky won a Valles Caldera National Preserve lottery for a cross country ski trip to a new six person yurt located about 12 miles from the visitor center.  We were really looking forward to a great local trip composed of excellent ski outings, wonderful friends, and a chance to be on our own in the Valles backcountry.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate......the Valles was completely devoid of snow.  Bill and I came up with an alternate plan for the small group to go to southern Colorado for three overnights in gods country.  We decided to cross country ski in the area for two days, and downhill at Wolf Creek for one day.  Bill made all arrangements, including finding us a huge rental home near the skiing.

Bill and Jackie on the way to Lookout Point near Wolf Creek ski area.

The primary party was made up of Bill, Jackie Little, and me (Cosima was in Houston at the time).  My good buddy Norbert  Ensslin happily joined us for two nights (we have done thousands of vertical feet of rock climbing together over the past two dozen years or so).  Norbert had previously made plans to ski with our good friends Al & Stephanie Bouchier who moved to Pagosa Springs from Los Alamos just three days before our trip.  We were treated to a wonderful dinner meal by the Bouchier's on our first night in Pagosa.  Dennis Brandt unfortunately dropped out at the last minute due to illness.  Our party was rounded out by Melissa & Petey (Bill's wife and son) who joined us on the second night.  Everyone had their own interests, and did their own thing......it worked out marvelously!

Our photo gallery primarily illustrates two high mountain ski tours that several of us did in the area.  The last photo is of Bill & Petey at Wolf Creek.