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| Snowshoeing | 8.68 Miles |
1,908 AEG |
| | Snowshoeing | 8.68 Miles | 7 Hrs 19 Mns | | 1.38 mph |
| 1,908 ft AEG | | | | |
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[ show ]
| partners | | As snowpocalypse 23 winded down overnight, I knew today would be one I wanted to get out and enjoy. Snowtel readings, webcams, and official NWS reports showed a range of snowfall across the high country ranging from a foot or so to over four feet. This part of the rim is typically at the high end of things and we prepared for a day of misery breaking trail through very deep snow.
We chatted with the plow driver at the hatchery for a bit as we got geared up. I wasn't sure how things would look down low, but it was snowshoes from the getgo. The consistently cool weather has prevented a lot of the normal snowmelt on lower and south-facing slopes and there was nothing but good snowpack even in the manzy maze.
The oak traverse was especially grueling, with deep drifts across the steep slope and each step needed to be carved. Up on the ridge, the snowpack became more stable. I'm not sure if it was wind or a warm day last week, but conditions were about as good as it gets. Fresh powdery snowfall of 6 or 8 inches sat on top of a well consolidated base several feet deep made travel almost pleasant. Flotation worked to perfection!
I lost the route more than ever before as there was not even the slightest sign of a bump where cairns exists, and many of the trail markers and blazes were at or below the snow level. So we meandered down to the lake and took a lengthy break on the west side after a using the deep snowpack to help spread our weight as we crossed the definitely-not-thick-enough ice. 
The snow pack on the rim is as deep as it has been on any of my previous trips here. There's some water running lightly in spots, but it's been cold enough that most of of the liquid remains frozen. The lake is about 10-feet from full, but I feel good about what it will look like by April.
With snowpack conditions as good as they are now, I hope to have a chance to make another trip or two up here before it warms up too much. |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
