We headed off to snowshoe Sun Top near Crystal Mountain Saturday. When we got to the parking lot there was no snow at all. We too a quick vote and decided to head to the trailhead for Grand Park through the Backdoor which Pam, Emily and I had hiked when the wildflowers were in bloom.
As we climber higher up the forest service road the snow was getting deeper until we couldn't see Terry and Zena who were following us. We turned around when we could and found them backing down to a place they could turn around.
We found a wide spot in the road and got parked off to the side. We geared up and headed uphill to the trailhead. Nearly 2 1/2 miles later we found the trailhead and headed up the trail. I was meeting with some resistance from the crew as they weren't sure I really knew where that trail was going. Once you get 1/4 of a mile into the trail there is signage showing that you are entering the National Park and providing proof that I did know where I was going.
The nice thing about a National Park trail is that they only cut trees that have fallen if they are blocking a trail which makes it nice to find the trail when there is snow on the ground. We made our way 1 mile in to Lake Elinor and had some lunch.
We decided to head on towards Grand Park which is another 2 1/2 miles past the lake. We had been in our boots only so far with no real need for our snowshoes. Not far after the lake there is a large meadow where we did have to put our snowshoes on.
We trudged along breaking trail in an average of 12" of snow and were within 1/2 mile of the beginning of Grand Park when our turn around time came. We took another vote 4 - 2 that we should stick to the plan. We had at least 1/2 hour to get to the beginning of the park and it was uphill.
We headed back and took a break at the lake while we took our snowshoes off and made our way back to the road for our 2 1/2 mile downhill walk to the cars.
A nice beer in front of the fireplace at the Naches Tavern in Greenwater and we were heading home.
Be very well and more soon....
I guess I reached my picture limit so the pictures will be on Facebook until I figure out what to do.
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