From Highway 22, turn west onto SR 532 (2WD gravel), 14.3 kilometres south of the intersection with Highway 540 (Bar U Ranch access) or 10.9 kilometres north of the intersection with Highway 533 (Chain Lakes Provincial Park access).  Drive 13.5 kilometres and turn left into Johnson Creek Staging Area (vault toilet available) which is just before the seasonal gate along SR 532.  Note that a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is NOT required to park at Johnson Creek Staging Area.

From the seasonal gate, Zosia and I simply followed the continuation of snow-covered SR 532 westward.  Although there was sufficient fresh snow to ski on, there was very little base underneath which was not an issue early in the morning but would become more problematic later on with rising temperatures.  While Zosia had no problems climbing with her waxless skis, I was initially slipping a lot on the uphill sections of the road.  Rather than apply more ski wax, I simply slapped on my climbing skins and had no further issues going uphill.  Although skiing SR 532 felt a little long-winded at times, the pleasant weather and ever-improving scenery helped alleviate some of the monotony of the road.  Because of dwindling snow coverage, we ditched our skis and walked the last 200 metres before The Hump.  The surface of frozen Teardrop Pond was windblown but also quite rough which made it a little treacherous to walk across especially in our slippery ski boots.  More often than not, The Hump is notoriously windy, but on this day, we were able to take a break beside Teardrop Pond under warm sunshine and calm conditions.

Even before returning to collect our ditched skis, Zosia and I both had serious reservations about the ensuing ski back down SR 532.  As mentioned, there was little or no base under the fresh snow cover, and consequently, we were scraping gravel quite often as we descended the road.  We did not dare to let our skis run fast for fear of an almost inevitable catastrophic wipeout.  Zosia was better able to control her speed on her waxless skis, but I had such a tough time that it was simply easier for me to pick up my skis and walk.  Even this was not without hazards as I took a painful tumble at one point after stepping on some sheer ice hidden under the snow.  Only when we got down lower to the flatter parts of SR 532 was I finally comfortable enough to strap my skis back on.  We still had to be cautious of lurking sharks, but at least we could let our skis run a little more freely.  The best skiing of the day turned out to be on the flattest sections of road where we could glide without fear while being aided by a nice tail wind.  Unfortunately, the warm afternoon temperatures also started to create sticky snow conditions, and we struggled to keep our ski bases clear for the last few hundred metres before the finish line at the seasonal gate.

	Zosia skis past the seasonal gate on SR 532.
	Visible in the distance is Hailstone Butte South as Zosia breaks trail along SR 532.
	It is difficult to see here, but there are some wild turkeys climbing up the bushy slope into the forest at upper right.

Here is a more complete view of Hailstone Butte from SR 532.

 

	Zosia enters the big bend in SR 532 below the summit (left) of Hailstone Butte.
	The snow coverage starts to thin out as Zosia approaches The Hump (pass).
	After ditching her skis, Zosia walks the remainder of the road to The Hump.
	Zosia arrives at The Hump with frozen Teardrop Pond in the background.
	Zosia wanders across the ice on Teardrop Pond.
	Zosia and Sonny pose in front of Teardrop Pond.

Zosia enjoys lunch on the shore of Teardrop Pond.

 

	Zosia commences her ski descent.
	With the thin snow coverage, Sonny finds it easier to just walk down the road. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia manages to descend on her skis but has to go slow to avoid any serious wipeouts.
	Back on the flatter part of SR 532, Zosia can let her skis run a little more freely.  In the background is "Fish Hook Ridge".
	Total Distance:  16.8 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  6 hours 42 minutes Cumulative Elevation Gain:  520 metres GPX Data