Tim Seaver
Well-known member
After being somewhat rebuffed on a mid-December ascent of Jefferson via the Castle Trail , a return trip was in order. And Sunday's glorious forecast was just the ticket.
Cath , like Jon, was easily talked into doing this route, which despite it's aesthetic beauty, appears to get very few winter ascents. And that was certainly apparent today, with only the vaguest outline of a snowshoe trench peeking from beneath the 2 foot thick Valentine Day Blanket. But what a day for heading up such a marvelous ridge!
Cath did the better part of the trail-breaking down low, although it would be more accurate to call it trail-conditioning, or perhaps trail-indenting. Those who have been unfortunate to follow her faint but rapid footsteps know all too well what to expect : a track made by an mosquito wearing little paper plates on his feet would make a deeper dent in the surface than Cath. So you are basically going to break out a trench for yourself whether in front of her or behind - it makes not a whit of difference.
The trail had a few blow-downs that were easily bypassed, but there are some interesting "rock problems" that are fun to solve between the Link junction and the first Castle. Overall, the trail corridor is pretty wide and easy to follow. The route winding up the first Castle is kind of steep and funky, but there was enough snow to make it pretty easy this time around. On the earlier attempt in December, we spent a good 1/2 hour trying to do the same thing. The snow was much firmer as we exited the Castles and neared treeline, with occasional patches of lovely and supportive "styrofoam" snow.
Higher up,the hideously sharp and weathered rocks that litter the ridge were plastered with layers of water ice and rime ice. This made the journey a little less abusive to our snowshoes than the beating they typically take over this section. As we approached the summit cone, some firm snowfields helped smooth the last blast up to Jefferson.
At the summit, we took a swig and put on crampons and a shell for the descent to Edmands Col, as it was a bit nippier. The trail from the summit of Jefferson is in superb shape, firm and pockmarked with the passage of many crampons.
Frosty Patrols the Gulfside
We ditched the crampons down in the col and screwbooted up to Thunderstorm Junction, then up to Adams, down the Airline and over to Madison Hut. We dropped our packs ( but brought headlights) at the hut for the short trip up Madison, where we arrived just as the sun set, with lots of wild colors filling the sky.
Hitting the Valley Way with headlights blazing, we boot skied here and there down a perfectly packed trail, yakking all the way to Appalachia, where we had spotted a car. A very fun and challenging day!
Finally, I can recommend this route. After all, "The Trail is Now Packed".
A few pics from the day.
Cath , like Jon, was easily talked into doing this route, which despite it's aesthetic beauty, appears to get very few winter ascents. And that was certainly apparent today, with only the vaguest outline of a snowshoe trench peeking from beneath the 2 foot thick Valentine Day Blanket. But what a day for heading up such a marvelous ridge!
Cath did the better part of the trail-breaking down low, although it would be more accurate to call it trail-conditioning, or perhaps trail-indenting. Those who have been unfortunate to follow her faint but rapid footsteps know all too well what to expect : a track made by an mosquito wearing little paper plates on his feet would make a deeper dent in the surface than Cath. So you are basically going to break out a trench for yourself whether in front of her or behind - it makes not a whit of difference.
The trail had a few blow-downs that were easily bypassed, but there are some interesting "rock problems" that are fun to solve between the Link junction and the first Castle. Overall, the trail corridor is pretty wide and easy to follow. The route winding up the first Castle is kind of steep and funky, but there was enough snow to make it pretty easy this time around. On the earlier attempt in December, we spent a good 1/2 hour trying to do the same thing. The snow was much firmer as we exited the Castles and neared treeline, with occasional patches of lovely and supportive "styrofoam" snow.
Higher up,the hideously sharp and weathered rocks that litter the ridge were plastered with layers of water ice and rime ice. This made the journey a little less abusive to our snowshoes than the beating they typically take over this section. As we approached the summit cone, some firm snowfields helped smooth the last blast up to Jefferson.
At the summit, we took a swig and put on crampons and a shell for the descent to Edmands Col, as it was a bit nippier. The trail from the summit of Jefferson is in superb shape, firm and pockmarked with the passage of many crampons.
Frosty Patrols the Gulfside
We ditched the crampons down in the col and screwbooted up to Thunderstorm Junction, then up to Adams, down the Airline and over to Madison Hut. We dropped our packs ( but brought headlights) at the hut for the short trip up Madison, where we arrived just as the sun set, with lots of wild colors filling the sky.
Hitting the Valley Way with headlights blazing, we boot skied here and there down a perfectly packed trail, yakking all the way to Appalachia, where we had spotted a car. A very fun and challenging day!
Finally, I can recommend this route. After all, "The Trail is Now Packed".
A few pics from the day.
