March 25: Ski to Pielpajärvi
The next day we cross-country skied to an old church a few miles away by a small lake called Pielpajärvi.
1927
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1927.jpg)
This though is the view out onto Mutusjärvi from Vasatokka.
1932
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1932.jpg)
Here's the front drive.
1941
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1941.jpg)
The first part of the ski route was on the frozen Inarijärvi (Inari Lake). Inarijärvi is very large; it extends maybe 40 miles northeast from Inari. We only saw a tiny bit of it, particularly because its coastline is very complex and it's dotted with islands.
1946
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1946.jpg)
Isolated cloud in front of the sun.
1951
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1951.jpg)
From there we continued across varied terrain, such as this young forest.
1955
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1955.jpg)
We skirted this rocky field that may be a wetland — it was impossible to tell for sure.
1958
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1958.jpg)
Some more open territory.
1961
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1961.jpg)
We also skied across smaller lakes and ponds.
1964
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1964.jpg)
The trail went straight up and over this esker.
1965
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1965.jpg)
This is the runout on the back side of the esker. I think maybe only one of us avoided falling down on the descent.
1974
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1974.jpg)
Continuing along on another pond.
1977
![](pix/to-pielpajarvi/1977.jpg)
Lots of lovely windswept snow textures were to be seen.