Elevator Shaft
Up (literally) next was the appropriately named Elevator Shaft. This is a thrilling drop-off from a ridge down into the McKay Creek drainage. Take note that this drop-off was not named by the locals the "Escalator," as there is nothing gradual about it. Sitting at the top, the altimeter on the Ski-Doo Rev XP our guide Tom Dines was riding read 10,323 feet. At the bottom it read 9,528 feet-a drop of just about 800 feet. Doesn't sound intimidating but it's definitely one of those you've got to try it to know how it really feels.
The Elevator Shaft kind of marks the beginning of the Notches, another locally-named geographical stretch that crosses a couple of impressive ridges to the north, heading toward Sonora Pass, although 
towards the end of the trek you have to go around to the trail to avoid the Pacific Crest Trail, which is illegal to cross on a snowmobile. Having to circumnavigate that stretch takes out a fun-looking chunk of real estate we would love to have tackled on a snowmobile. Some signs/markers at the top of the ridge mark where the PCT goes so be sure to avoid crossing it. Word has it that rangers frequent the area, waiting for sledders to break the law and ticket them.
No worries, though, we managed to hit another ridge full of chutes that offered its own challenges. We simply dropped back off the ridge where the markers were, headed east and down one of the chutes to play. We did pick up part of 108 to ride to the top of Sonora Pass for some scenic shots before heading back to the truck.
One spot we almost missed during our second day of riding the Sonora Pass area was Latopie Lake, which isn't exactly hidden but can be easily missed on your way to the Elevator Shaft. It's a series of short and medium length climbs up to Latopie Lake, which sits just below the ridgeline that marks the Wilderness border. It's not so much the destination as it is getting to Latopie that is so much fun.
Taking stock at the end of day two left us with several impressions. One is there really is something to that California sunshine, which rained down on us for two full days, creating stellar riding conditions. Another is the famous Sierra Cement, a name for the snow that is set up just about the time it falls from the sky. Sierra Cement creates a snow condition (base) where you can ride just about anywhere-not matter how vertical it is-which we tried to do. The Elevator Shaft was a perfect example of what Sierra Cement allows you to do. Any other kind of snow condition and you would not be able to climb back out (although you can drop out the bottom of McKay Creek and catch the trail but how much fun is that?). Another impression is that despite being "hemmed" in, we had two full days of great riding without having to backtrack much at all.
A true pocket of paradise.