We initially enjoyed easy skiing along the logging road leading to Commonwealth Creek, but much like my previous visit to Tryst Lake in 2004, Zosia and I completely missed the turnoff for the summer trail and ended up in a large cutblock.  Before we had a chance to turn around, four backcountry skiers emerged from the trees onto the road, and they all stopped to put climbing skins back on (apparently so they could get back to the Smith-Dorrien highway).  They had apparently aborted an attempt on the east ridge of Mount Smuts and ended up skiing some chutes above Tryst Lake before muddling their way down to the road.  The skiers mentioned that they had set off a small avalanche in one of the chutes, but luckily, nobody got hurt.  One of them also pointed us in the right direction for the winter access to Tryst Lake which is different than the summer trail.

Zosia and I continued a little further along the road toward Commonwealth Creek, and near the junction with the winter access trail, we left the road and followed remnants of ski tracks heading westward into the trees of the cutblock.  The old tracks led us to a reclaimed road which we followed for awhile before climbing partway up the east ridge of The Fist.  Where the east ridge flattens out a bit, we traversed a short distance before stopping to remove our skins and skiing down to the east end of Tryst Lake.  We crossed to the west end of the lake before turning around for the day.

For our return, we followed the other skiers' tracks down a bushy drainage east of the lake.  The snow here was a mixed bag with everything from pristine powder to old avalanche debris, and although much of the skiing was quite challenging, it was also kind of fun.  Near the bottom, we snaked our way through some very tight trees before popping out onto the road just like the previous skiers.  The ski back to my car from there was uneventful.

	Commonwealth Peak stands out in the distance as Sonny skis along the road to Commonwealth Creek. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia leaves the road and follows some old tracks into light forest.  At right is Tent Ridge.
	Zosia stumbles upon a reclaimed exploration road.
	Zosia climbs steeply up a forested ridge near Tryst Lake.
	Sonny enjoys some easy travel on a flat part of the ridge crest. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia finds an easy corridor to ski down to Tryst Lake (barely visible through the trees at centre).
	Sonny arrives at Tryst Lake (2143 metres). Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak

Zosia skis across Tryst Lake under the east face of The Fist.

 

	Zosia cradles her sandwich like a baby as she poses with Sonny near the west end of Tryst Lake.
	Here is a look at a few of the Tryst Chutes which are popular with backcountry skiers.
	Zosia finds a nice patch of fresh powder while skiing down the drainage for Tryst Lake.
	Skiing the drainage is a bit of a mixed bag on this day with nice sections like this one and not-so-nice ones lower down.
	Sonny passes some old avalanche debris on the lower southeastern slopes of Tent Ridge. Photo courtesy of Zosia Zgolak
	Zosia carefully steps over a big log not far from the approach road.
	Zosia heads back to the trailhead along the approach road.
	Total Distance:  9.1 kilometres Round-Trip Time:  4 hours 1 minute Net Elevation Gain:  275 metres GPX Data