zepphead80
New member
Got to the parking lot around 11 AM and strapped on rented snowshoes. It was clear that I was the first person on the trail for today anyway, since there were no tracks yet in the freshly fallen snow. Perhaps about 6" of new powder on top of 20" to 25" of harder packed snow, with larger drifts in places. Definitely snowshoe conditions. Sun and lake-effect clouds mixed, temperature about 40 F.
Made it to the hotel ruins around 12:15, took some pics, and hiked up to the fire tower. View from the top was amazing, though it was windy and I could only enjoy it for about five minutes. Started back down the mountain around 1:00, and by this time I encountered several people on their way up via the track I made.
Trip back down only took about 35 to 40 minutes, with a brief heavy snow squall, and then the sun once again. Arrived back at the lot around 1:45, and driving by 2:00. Perfect snowshoe day hike. About 5 miles round trip.
Made it to the hotel ruins around 12:15, took some pics, and hiked up to the fire tower. View from the top was amazing, though it was windy and I could only enjoy it for about five minutes. Started back down the mountain around 1:00, and by this time I encountered several people on their way up via the track I made.
Trip back down only took about 35 to 40 minutes, with a brief heavy snow squall, and then the sun once again. Arrived back at the lot around 1:45, and driving by 2:00. Perfect snowshoe day hike. About 5 miles round trip.