Trappery Trapper

Team RML headed to Trapper Peak Sunday May 31st for some glisse time. Jim, Claire and Mikael all arrived punctually chez Jon at 6:30 am and we were on the road by 6:43 after loading the gear into Mikael's uber-ski mobile Land Rover. We made it about 1/4 mile short of the Baker Lake trailhead where the last remaining snow blocked passage of three cars (presumaby left by campers) which were parallel-parked across the road completely blocking passage of those who own Land Rovers. Mikael was tempted to monster truck the cars as he would have easily commanded his rig over them and through the snow to make it all the way to the trailhead but we decided the extra 3 minutes of skinning/hiking wouldn't put as much of a dent in our plans. The ascent to Baker Lake was mostly by foot except for the last bit just below the lake where we put on skins (and snow shoes in Mikael's case). At Baker lake we waved to the ski-folk campers whose tracks from the previous day swiped the ridge east of top of the Gem Lake couloir and discussed options. We decided on ascending to Gem Lake via the Baker Creek gully as we wanted to keep the going over the ridge north of Gem Lake option open. The going was a bit slow - Mikael was post-holing a bit in the treed areas as the snow was rotten and slushy slush in places. We found Gem lake snowed over still but there were a couple patches of gem-blue ice water true to its name. There were numerous fresh debris fields from cornice falls below the false summit ridge including a large one that ran right through the upper part of the Gem Lake sneak line which made skiing it look less fun if not no fun. The Gem Lake Couloir looked the same with a couple of deep runnels. We opted for gaining the Gem Lake sneak ridge to the south as opposed to the north ridge due to time, gear limitations and uncertainty about conditions in the north drainage. After gaining the ridge and a healthy lunch break we followed Claire's lead to the summit where we were greeted with 6 other skier/riders and stunning views of the Boulder Peak Ridge, El Capitan, North Trapper and the Bitterroots beyond. We were tempted by the north couloir but opted to ski down the sticky south facing slopes back down to Gem Lake. The best turns were had through the quick steep shot skiers right of the usual Gem Lake sneak line. The going was great until just before Baker Lake where we ran into the boggy bog and the last remaining snow bridge. "It looks thick enough," I said. "Famous last words," Jim replied with a grin just before he boldly and successfully crossed. I watched thinking at least the water looked appealing. Claire and Mikael were next and I'll just say that gaiters do not prevent water from getting into your ski boots and snowshoes do not float. It wasn't bad though and after arriving at the car by 5:00 we were so psyched to have experienced a 6714.3 Claire calorie day in the mountains!