U
Unregistered
Guest
John, Brian and I started at 9:00 AM after dropping into the Highland Center and getting good info on trail conditions from the very helpful folks there. The trails were all in great shape for snow shoeing. Firm base with 5 inches of fresh powder on top. All water crossings were solid and there were no serious blow-downs. In a few high wind areas the snow had entirely drifted over the trail and we had to guess at its location from the blazes ahead.
NOTE: A few hundred yards below the top of the ridge the trail takes a sharp right turn up a slope, but at the same point a well-packed track heads left up a gully. This is a dead-end. There is a blaze right at the turn, but it is only visible from the up-hill side.
We reached the summit at 11:45 and were joined by several very friendly gray jays. The clouds and fog lifted enough for us to see some good wintry views. The trip down was great! Lots of big steps and controlled slides (mostly) on the snow shoes in bright sunlight and beautiful forest. Left the top at noon and were at the car by 1:30.
The Avalon Trail had been broken out, but no one used it on this day. We saw no other hikers or tracks of hikers all day.
Equipment: Snowshoes and poles all day. Also winter clothes - it was cold, around 5 fahrenheit.
NOTE: A few hundred yards below the top of the ridge the trail takes a sharp right turn up a slope, but at the same point a well-packed track heads left up a gully. This is a dead-end. There is a blaze right at the turn, but it is only visible from the up-hill side.
We reached the summit at 11:45 and were joined by several very friendly gray jays. The clouds and fog lifted enough for us to see some good wintry views. The trip down was great! Lots of big steps and controlled slides (mostly) on the snow shoes in bright sunlight and beautiful forest. Left the top at noon and were at the car by 1:30.
The Avalon Trail had been broken out, but no one used it on this day. We saw no other hikers or tracks of hikers all day.
Equipment: Snowshoes and poles all day. Also winter clothes - it was cold, around 5 fahrenheit.
