One word pretty much sums up the view this year. SNOW. Lots of snow, my friends. Hiking in soft, mushy snow that frequently gives way. Much different than years past on this hike. But still beautiful.
We parked at least a half mile from the parking lot and started hiking in the snow. There was no way to see our trail, so we just followed the snowmobile tracks. We encountered a few ski-hikers, they wear pads on the bottom of their skis, go up hill with those on, then they get a free ride down. That looked like the way to go for sure.
Crossing the creek was risky business, but the guys did a good job helping me over. Eric found a nice pair of trekking poles that had been left by the creek, so I used those the rest of the way up the mountain, they were awesome! Hiking was at least 50% easier with them. We found a nice high peak to eat lunch, then headed back down through the ever softening snow, some of it had rivers running under it, so it was a little spooky hiking over it and hoping the snow didn't give way and drop you into the icy waters! We fell through the snow frequently as it was, and it was always a bit startling. But sooo gorgeous up there, especially once the sun came out. And fairly warm too. Fun day for sure, and now we're all a bit sore from the trek.
