grouseking
Well-known member
My first mountain hike in several months, and I consider it my first winter mountain hike of the year. While its only 2 miles one way, I still got my butt kicked. I took the Cross Rivendell trail up the west side of Cube to the summit. It isn't overly steep, though there are a couple of very short and somewhat steep pitches.
There was lots of mushy snow on the slopes of Mt Cube, mixed in with some nice ice flows. I used microspikes, and my hiking companions used some beat up snow shoes. I think the microspikes were the best option, because I was able to grip into the ice and snow, while the snow shoes didn't grip into the ice very well, and there wasn't enough snow to warrant them.
It was a bluebird late winter day-temps mainly in the 30s in the shade, and 40s in the sun. Pics can help to tell the story.
Late winter trail:
A nice stand of spruce
The ice begins
After negotiating some fun little ice flows, we can across the first nice views of the day.
Sunday Mtn
cont in a minute
There was lots of mushy snow on the slopes of Mt Cube, mixed in with some nice ice flows. I used microspikes, and my hiking companions used some beat up snow shoes. I think the microspikes were the best option, because I was able to grip into the ice and snow, while the snow shoes didn't grip into the ice very well, and there wasn't enough snow to warrant them.
It was a bluebird late winter day-temps mainly in the 30s in the shade, and 40s in the sun. Pics can help to tell the story.
Late winter trail:
A nice stand of spruce
The ice begins
After negotiating some fun little ice flows, we can across the first nice views of the day.
Sunday Mtn
cont in a minute
