Balsam Mt. 1-5-08

[hermit]

We hiked the blue trail in from Rider Hollow which is well broken out now and has a real good snowshoe trail.The forest ranger had a group of 3 with him and another group of 2 were ahead of us.Only a couple of bare spots where the springs flow along the trail.Snow levels ranged between 8 to 16 inches.We hiked the loop and came down the red trail past the leanto ,which was not occupied.Temps. started to warm up on the way out.The trail coming in from McKinley hollow did not appear to be broken out.
Ralph Ryndak