This was just a short hike around Prime Lake this afternoon. I needed to get out of the house, after yesterday's snowstorm. I got 11 inches at my house. Needless to say, I am ready for spring and summer!

The road up to the observatory was clear and I noticed that the gate to Marshall Lake is open. Next time I'll bring the truck and my kayak to explore Marshall. The road past Prime Lake is still blocked, but the trail starts at the parking area at the top of the road. A forest service person drove up checking out the area. I followed someone's snowshoe tracks, but I didn't need mine. There wasn't 10 inches of snow up here. There were alot of ring-necked ducks on the lake and tracks from deer in the snow. The snow crystals looked like glitter in the afternoon light--too bad photos don't show it.
After going all around the lake, the sun was getting low. I was home before dark.