[Mike P.]

It could mean you are hiking the day after a blizzard where lots of snow was transported to lee slopes, perhaps after a warm few days & then some rain & freeze put a slick coating on the old top layer.

I believe the Winter Lion's head trail was last moved around 1995 or 1996 when a slide took out part of the old route. I don't believe it was an avalanche but a rock slide. The old route was the safer route for winter travel & they rejoined the old one where they could. I think this was described some in the 26th WMG.

Personally I prefer the approach from the other side, it means picking a better day due to the increased weather exposure but I'm okay doing Monroe if I get up to LOC & don't like the weather, I'm better accessing weather I like.

Not sure why guided groups have not switched some trips over to the other side, unless it's strictly for the view of the ravines & the warm climbers room at PNVC & their guides like taking people they don't really know up a route they have done dozens (100's?) of times before. (When I've taken school groups there is something to be said about routes you know real well)

Outside of another trip up Huntingtons & I haven't been up Nelson Crag yet, I really wouldn't lose any sleep if I ever saw that side of Washington again, too much traffic.