Backcountry SKIING
Fourth-Generation Guest Ranch Located in Pristine North Idaho
True Western 208 263-9066 Hospitality 1413 Upper Gold Creek Rd. Open Open Year-Round Year-Round Sandpoint, ID 8386
Email: stay@westernpleasureranch.com
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www.westernpleasureranch.com
Hidden Lake. Although it’s only about 500 vertical feet down to the lake, the terrain was irresistible. We carved our skiers’ signatures into the dry, boot top powder, knowing that we were getting some of the last powder turns of the season. We did several runs on those aspects, then with a little more climbing and contouring, made the summit of Joe Peak (6,743 feet) where the bigger terrain and longer runs greeted us. The sun, however, was dipping low on the horizon and it was time to head back to the cabin. No problem, we would be back tomorrow! Turns out that the West Fork Cabin, a Forest Service cabin dating back to 1931, sits in an area known to be caribou range. The cabin we had been staying in had been built in 1999 after the original structure was burned down in 1998 by some genetically challenged rowdies. Previous visitors chastised the unknown pyros in the pages of the cabin journal. Maybe, however, it was a blessing, as the old cabin was reportedly run down and getting more use from pack rats than people. Now we had two nice bunks, a table, plenty of windows and a big woodstove that had us in T-shirts while we sipped Irish whiskey. The next morning we were up early
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Chris Park releases ashes of deceased friend Paul Donaghue into the wind atop Joe Peak
and made tracks straight for Joe Peak. The sun was out in full force today, and we knew the powder wouldn’t last. As we climbed, I thought about how fortunate we were to be here skiing in these beautiful mountains. My thoughts wandered: Backcountry skiing is a rare experience; it’s rare in life to have good friends like Paul and Tim; the woodland caribou are now the rarest mammal in the United States. I thought, Be thankful, respectful and appreciative of all that we are blessed with today. As I braced myself against the stiff wind blowing across Joe Peak and raised my hand, releasing Paul’s ashes to the mountaintops, I thought of the fleeting moments we experience in life, some of which we have no control over and others that we do. Tim and Paul are now gone forever, but the West Fork Cabin was rebuilt. Perhaps, if we put our hearts into it, we can “rebuild” the woodland caribou, too. Accessed by Smith Creek-Red Top Ridge Trail No. 21, West Fork Cabin is a first-come, first-served Forest Service facility; contact the Bonners Ferry Ranger District at 267-5561 for more information.
WINTER 2010
11/10/09 4:42:11 PM