Ski Tour to Chicoma Peak

This proposed ski tour was inspired by a recent conversation with Andy Thien and Jason Halliday, who have been doing some fine ski mountaineering trips in the Jemez and Sangre de Christos.  It made me wonder if it might be feasible to ski up to Chicoma Peak this coming weekend, depending on snow conditions.

The Mountaineers have done this trip several times in the past, but not in recent years.  The trip is usually feasible if the snow line is high, and the road is dry at the lower elevations.  Then one can drive quite a ways up the dirt road that runs from Espanola towards  the Chicoma / Polvadera saddle.  If the snow line is high enough, or the road is well-packed by previous vehicles, one can often drive to within 5 miles of the summit.  From there, strong skiers can ski far enough up the road to summit Chicoma and/or Polvadera Peaks.  If we get stopped lower down the road, we can still ski up the road as far as we want, then turn around and cruise back down to the cars.   Since we plan to drive up the road until we get stuck, we should bring 4WD drive vehicles with high clearance, shovels, and chains if available.  

I propose that we depart from Sullivan Field at 8 AM this Sunday, from the White Rock Y at 8:15 AM, and from the NNMCC parking lot in Espanola at 8:30 AM.  Please let me know beforehand (norbert.ensslin@gmail.com) if you are planning to come and want to carpool, so we can plan transportation.