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Date of hike: 12/29/2014
Trail conditions: On the lower half of the mountain, a mix of hard-packed snow, solid ice, and running water. On the upper half, more snow, no water or bare ground*, some ice. *Except that the exposed summit area on Cascade is mostly dry, bare rock.
Special equipment required: Microspikes (or similar) very strongly recommended - although I saw a few people doing this hike with no traction aids (but I wouldn't try it that way). Snowshoes absolutely not needed. Crampons would be extreme overkill.
Comments: A much better day than was forecast - the sun was out much of the time, and it was absolutely glorious. The snowpack on the upper portion of the mountain might best be described as a layer of armor plating - a very good and very solid base just waiting for some more snow to cover it, and it would take a lot to melt it. No danger of post-holing on the trail either. A few more freeze/thaw cycles might make the trails very slick - however this time of year more snow is a more likely outcome. Also after the cold temperatures tonight and later this week, it is likely most of the remaining wet spots on the lower half will be frozen.
Trail conditions: On the lower half of the mountain, a mix of hard-packed snow, solid ice, and running water. On the upper half, more snow, no water or bare ground*, some ice. *Except that the exposed summit area on Cascade is mostly dry, bare rock.
Special equipment required: Microspikes (or similar) very strongly recommended - although I saw a few people doing this hike with no traction aids (but I wouldn't try it that way). Snowshoes absolutely not needed. Crampons would be extreme overkill.
Comments: A much better day than was forecast - the sun was out much of the time, and it was absolutely glorious. The snowpack on the upper portion of the mountain might best be described as a layer of armor plating - a very good and very solid base just waiting for some more snow to cover it, and it would take a lot to melt it. No danger of post-holing on the trail either. A few more freeze/thaw cycles might make the trails very slick - however this time of year more snow is a more likely outcome. Also after the cold temperatures tonight and later this week, it is likely most of the remaining wet spots on the lower half will be frozen.
