I plunge-stepped back down to the skis, carried them back to the trail junction, had a bite to eat.

I had left the car at 10:07am, taken a reasonably easy pace on the way up, had to break quite a bit of trail and had topped out around 1:45pm. I left the junction at 2:15pm, I think. I left the skins on through the rolling, tight sections, turning and braking easily, enjoying the slow ride. Once I got down to the last of what I remembered as several dips in the trail, crossing small brooks and lastly, a small log across the trail, I took the skins off and let the skis run as long as they would. It looked like Boston Mike had turned around early; I followed his tracks down from 2600' or so. I caught up to a couple of snowshoers I had passed on the way up at a snowmobile trail intersection just above Thompson Brook. They had also turned around. I had to put the skins back on for the final bit of rolling trail to the trailhead and intersection with the fire road. From there it was a flat kick-and-glide back to the car. I caught the last group of snowshoers (turned around... what's up with that?) about two-tenths of a mile before the pullout. The only folks I didn't see again were the group coming over from Lafayette.

Despite the mileage and the flatness in and out on the fire road, this was a super tour. I think I probably caught ideal conditons, aside from having to bust a bit of trail. Being able to actually ski out made a big difference in the enjoyment factor. I could freely make turns off the trail into superfluff. It was like skiing the top of a cappuccino. Highly recommended.

And for the record, David Goodman... was... essentially... right... about... stuff. [Written through clenched teeth.]