Greetings- a little trip today to upper Capulin area and over to 9Mile picnic area.  Snow purrfect, at least 2 fresh inches over crust, some blown from above.  Cold, breezy.  A little sticky in the early aft, still cold.

Entrance to this route is at the farthest point of the Capulin parking lot, north-west  corner of farthest tubing hill, side-step down to trail.  This follows the 'groomed trails of old' up through the trees, to the LasHuertas Canyon Overlook.  This route went back to the powerline, following Sam's flags.  Then a crossing of the Crest Highway to lead to 9Mile Picnic Area, coming in on the old hiway.  A Challenge Tr loop to the SSE of 9Mile, then down Challenge till re-cross highway to Capulin TH.  This route was inspired by Sam Beard's book and the 'Cross-Country Ski Touring Map' of the Cibola NF.  See attacheds.

Opinions- this beautiful new snow will last thru weekend.  Its an unprecedented opportunity to try lower Challenge Tr on skis.  Some of this area south of the hiway is L2+ due to elevation change.  Not advised to always follow my tracks- think safety(gads).  Thank you, Sam, for your blue diamonds, your recent pink flags, and your acute attention to inclination in setting these trails.

This low snow opportunity is going away- I say, grab it now!  (I may try Challenge from top to bottom next week- Yes?)  Bet Gendron