mavs00
New member
Got a bit of a late start (8:30, big mistake). Was a little discouraged when the ranger informed me at the gate that, to his knowledge, noone has successfully summited Gothics from that side in about 2 weeks. Oh well.
Started out 1-2 feet of rapidly disappearing packed snow on Lake Road. We put snowshoes on (for traction mostly) from junction with the road. A little early perhaps and within a day or two, the trail all the way out to Beaver Meadow will be bootable.
Above the falls, snowshoes needed. A descent spine was tough to follow up but supportive. One simple step off it though put you in 2-3 feet of rotten snow. All snow bridges are now gone (sorry
). Once we hit the steep 1000' climb to the ridge the snow piled up FAST. DEEP SNOW above 3500', but totally rotten in the 70 degree heat. The spine still supported us okay for the most part until we crested the ridge 4000'. Once the trees thinned and the sun was hitting the deep snow, we lost ALL support on even the spine. WE swam another 200' vertical feet just about to the junction of the range trail, but that was all she wrote.
There was solidly 6-7 feet of snow in spots up high, but I'd not try it really hot conditions like we had today, there is no support. A new freeze or cooler temps might make it a nice trip though. Great view most of the day.
No ice up to where we were at but Snowshoes are a must above the falls.
We also busted out the path to Lost Lookout on the way out (sometimes on and sometimes off the route by accident). Great snow conditions in that spot (very supportive at 2200').
Great day.
Started out 1-2 feet of rapidly disappearing packed snow on Lake Road. We put snowshoes on (for traction mostly) from junction with the road. A little early perhaps and within a day or two, the trail all the way out to Beaver Meadow will be bootable.
Above the falls, snowshoes needed. A descent spine was tough to follow up but supportive. One simple step off it though put you in 2-3 feet of rotten snow. All snow bridges are now gone (sorry
). Once we hit the steep 1000' climb to the ridge the snow piled up FAST. DEEP SNOW above 3500', but totally rotten in the 70 degree heat. The spine still supported us okay for the most part until we crested the ridge 4000'. Once the trees thinned and the sun was hitting the deep snow, we lost ALL support on even the spine. WE swam another 200' vertical feet just about to the junction of the range trail, but that was all she wrote.There was solidly 6-7 feet of snow in spots up high, but I'd not try it really hot conditions like we had today, there is no support. A new freeze or cooler temps might make it a nice trip though. Great view most of the day.
No ice up to where we were at but Snowshoes are a must above the falls.
We also busted out the path to Lost Lookout on the way out (sometimes on and sometimes off the route by accident). Great snow conditions in that spot (very supportive at 2200').
Great day.
Last edited:
