After securing a limited amount of permission to ski from my physical therapist, the stage was set for a much needed trip to the hills. For myriad weather (beautiful!), snow, and knee reasons, I aimed for and pulled off a predawn start. A couple hundred meters from the lot I opted to put my skis and skins on, and skinned merrily in the predawn light.
Sunrise began a little before I reached Panorama Point, and I paused for its duration to photograph the changing light on the mountain.
In keeping with the climb-what-you-ski mantra, I decided to scurry up the winter line on "Pan Face" to see what I thought of the snow conditions and coverage and plan for my descent. In short, the "face" was in prime cramponing condition. Alas, I'd intentionally left my trusty Sabreteeth at home with the thought, "If I need crampons, I'll just try out my ski crampons!" Inspired, I whipped out my untried ski crampons. I'd carried them for months, on and off, without a need to try them. After working my way partway up the slope, I was underwhelmed with their performance and traded poles for an ax, skis for boots. That done, the slope became carefully manageable, and I worked my way up without incident.
Atop Panorama Point, my knee wanted a break from step-kicking in refrozen snow, and I opted for a nap in the warming sun. Photo opportunities emerged occasionally. Napping complete, I skinned up another 1800' or so, where skiing home seemed like the thing to do.
The first turns, down to Pebble Creek, were very good. Determined efforts to keep the skis on down lower spurred my desire for winter - better coverage would be good. The warm snow below Pan Point was typically soft, and the coverage through the trees above the visitor center was occasionally sparse. To my surprise, Sky, followed by his Wilson/Nisqually partners, caught up with me at the visitor center. The parking lot was a zoo. There's a reason for the big (presently closed) parking lot.
A good day, and my knee seems to have survived it. The favorable photography conditions probably made the day most remarkable.