Edison Butte - AC/DC Shelter, January 2010

Thanks to my very generous aunts (thank you!!!!!!!), we spent another snowy weekend in Sunriver, relaxing, hanging with friends and playing in the snow! Michael, Kendra, Jacob and Lindsey joined us for the trip to Rio de Sol.

First, Brad and I explored the Edison Butte Sno-Park, a newer trail system on Forest Service Road 45 just south of the Cascade Lakes Highway junction (just before Mount Bachelor). Rain fell as we unloaded the car, but as soon as we reached the trailhead, the precipitation turned to snow! We set out for the AC/DC Shelter, a 5.5-mile loop with about 500' of elevation. We soon learned that the cumulative elevation was MUCH more than 500', with the trail rolling over snow-covered lava beds. One guidebook accurately described it as "undulating." Because of the narrow, winding and nearly continuously rolling trail, it was difficult to get any glide. Still, the snow was nice and the scenery was beautiful as we made our way to the picturesque shelter. The woodstove was stoked when we arrived, so we ate our lunch inside the toasty building. We'd arrived on the Direct Current trail and decided to continue the loop and return on the Alternating Current trail. The AC trail was less windy (and downhill!), allowing great coasting. We ventured off piste several times when smooth, powder-covered slopes called our names. The snow was perfect for practicing off trail - very forgiving. I think I only bit it once the whole day! It snowed the entire trip, making for a spectacular adventure.

:)