SPRING HARVEST - SIDEBAR

Secrets of the Harvest: An Insider's Guide

Want to harvest Alpine's spring corn? The best way is to pursue local sun worshippers as they hike, or hire an Alpine Meadows' ski school instructor to guide you. Knowledge of the High Traverse or Estelle Bowl doesn't come easy - and those who know it best guard favorite lines like secret fishing holes. If you are inclined to solo adventure, here are some favorite lines we've gathered from the patrol and harvest afficionados,

EARLY SUN: SP Bowl, named after the Southern Pacific Railroad, is a giant open bowl that catches intense eastern early morning sun next to Grouse Rock within the High Traverse permit area. From the top of Summit Chair hike across Ward Peak to the Upper Saddle of the High Traverse. Traverse west around the south side of Ward Peak to a prominent ridgeline and onto the Pacific Crest Trail. The first bowl discovered is Big Bend Bowl. SP Bowl lies just south. SP Bowl contains three steep benches interspaced by flat platforms highlighted by the extreme "Larry's Leap," named after Ski Patrol Director Larry Heywood.

SECOND LAP: Head back to the Upper Saddle and drop into the Sun Bowl directly below. Its southeast facing slope contains wide-open steeps and fall-line terrain perfect for arcing phat off-camber GS turns.

SOFT SISTER: Big Bend Bowl is the Sun Bowl's Siamese twin, but without the smooth introduction. Steep at the top, it's a wide-open preserve of nifty benches, knolls, and gourmet corn that allows for floating, polished turns. In the ravine below, the creekbed fills up with snow to form a natural half pipe.

ONE HAND CLAPPING: The Beaver/ Estelle Bowl border doesn't receive as much traffic as the High Traverse. From the lip of Beaver hidden caches of smooth lines drop down towards the row of timber separating the two bowls. Pick a line that runs out onto Kangaroo and back to Summit Chair for another round trip.

LATE SPRING: Bernie's Bowl, named after the late Bernie Kingery, a former Alpine Meadows' Mountain Manager, can be discovered in the furthest northeast boundary of Estelle Bowl on Alpine's main mountain. From the Summit Chair point 'em straight across Wolverine Saddle to the scoured trail behind Wolverine Peak and the top of the ridge. A ten minute hike, with or without skis on, takes the enthusiast past Beaver Bowl to Estelle. Stay high in the trees and keep an eye on the Estelle Cornice which can drop off steeply. Ski down from the top a football field length along the ski area boundary. Bernie's rests above the parking lot and Kangaroo Lift. Watch out for late spring brushfields which can be difficult to retreat from. Skier's right of Bernie's bowl is Bernie's Chute, also known as Mushroom Chute. It's steeper than your basement stairs, but when corned up adds a sweet and savored dose of southern comfort.

FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS: Mister Ed's is a big avalanche gully behind Grouse Rock in the southern most portion of the High Traverse. From the top of SP Bowl cut behind Grouse due west. A quarter-mile south of Grouse you'll pop out of a rock formation above Mister Ed's. The 800 foot descent provides engaging steep swooping turns off its banks. A very long skating traverse leads to a run out at the bottom of Sherwood Chair.

PATROL FAVORITE: CB Chute is the first chute east of the Upper Saddle in the High Traverse. The best approach is a hike from Upper Saddle above Keyhole. It's a big drop laced a few tight turns that eventually offer a smooth transition of rolls, dips and the wide-open South Face.