Ski Camping in Leigh Canyon

This short trip was not thought about until literally 3 days before, sitting at a bar's patio in the nice, 70 degree sun that we have been recently enjoying in Jackson after a rough, grey, snowy winter. A simple question, "want to go camp?" and there I was with a miniscule of an idea of where to go. Quick Google and Google Earth research I noticed a spot on the west side of Leigh Lake perfect for a camp spot in a zone I had never been, even in the Summer.

First sight of Moran

Friday @ 6:30pm
Being past May 1st, we drove to String Lake parking area and got all of our gear together to make the trek around String Lake and around Leigh Lake. It was not too complicated but we did gain vertical where it was not needed. After about 2 hours of skinning, scaring away any bears we got to our proposed area, then went a little further to find an easy target for friends who were coming in the next day to find us. We opted to set up right next to Leigh Creek, maybe 300 ft from Leigh Lake and the perfect camp spot. I imagine for anyone who's seen it knows the spot as it is right at the mouth of the canyon. It would be hard to miss.

We had everything we needed - rushing water, flat spot, trees to hang food, killer view and only an hour or so hike of flat terrain to get to great skiing.

Saturday @ 5:30am
With temperatures nearing high 60s to 70s we set our alarms for 4:30am. Apparently, it takes us a while to get going as we did not start hiking until around 6:00am. We made our start into Leigh Canyon and got first sight of our weekend home. What to ski? Off of Moran there were plenty of south facing couloirs with Thor just west of that and Woodring had a bunch of lines that could require anything from just boots to ropes and ATCs.

Left side

Center

Right side of canyon

There were natural slides throughout

We got into the SW Couloir of Moran and at about 9:30am felt like it was time to go. The snow was changing rapidly and us only being at 10,300 with another 1,400 ft left, bailed.

After lounging around, "napping", for a solid 5 hours in the bright sun our friends showed up. We discussed our past day with our buddy Ryan who was saying they hit the Middle Teton summit at 9:00am due to the high temps, meaning that they started at the trailhead at 2am. Should of thought about that, our start time, when we were deciding our line several canyons over. He felt, at the time, was too early but later heard that many people skiing right now are skiing by 9am. I wish I had someone telling me that.

Sunday @ 4:00am
Now knowing we have to get up even earlier to ski safely by 9:00am, I set an alarm for a dreaded 4:00am start. Cruising over to the south side and passing by a few high mountain lakes, through avy debris, we got the Fallopian Tube off of Woodring in sight. Then the slog of a bootpack began, taking us roughly 3.5 hours to get up, getting us there at 8:30am. Perfect timing.

The snow ended up being fantastic except for the top, where there was a serious sun crust but 200 feet below we had perfect corn turns all of the way down the couloir. Not a bad way to spend a Spring day.