Basic Snowshoe - Obstruction Point Road

Heart O' the Hills entrance station:
https://goo.gl/maps/c1rqEZJ8QSBdDwnF9

Friday, January 12th at 8:30am

Day 1: Starting our trek near the Hurricane Ridge parking lot, we'll have a 3.5 mile, 500' gain snowshoe along Obstruction Point Road to an area near the PJ Lake trailhead. We'll set up our base camp, explore the area as time/conditions allow, and enjoy a night of winter camping.

Day 2: We'll dedicate the next day to exploring the area, heading out towards Eagle Point and possibly Obstruction Point.  This day will require extensive off-trail route finding, weaving our way through sections of dense forest (at an incline), kick-stepping our way up steep slopes, and trekking along windy ridges.  We will need to be flexible (and may need to turn around) as we make our way around the fire damage below Eagle Point.  We'll return to our base camp for a second night of winter camping.  6 miles, 1500'+ gain.

Day 3: We'll do our day 1 in reverse, returning along Obstruction Point Road to the trailhead.  3.5 miles, 600' gain.

Route: https://caltopo.com/m/701M1

We'll trek at a moderate pace with brief stops for snacks/views. Participants should have an excellent fitness base, given the weight of winter camping equipment as well as the trip's distance and elevation gain.

In your request for leader's permission, please detail your winter camping experience and summarize the winter-capable gear (shelter, sleep system, cooking system, clothing) that you will bring in order to stay safe.

If the Hurricane Ridge area is open on holiday Mondays this winter (it's supposed to be), the weather looks promising, and the group is up for it, I'm open to staying a 3rd night (and returning Monday) so that we can have 2 full days to explore.

Weather forecasts: National Weather Service, Mountain Forecast

We'll do this trip only if the avalanche conditions are safe and the weather forecasts are friendly (friendly = no storms, no sustained winds of 25mph+, no rain, and no single-digit temps). If the trip is canceled, there won't be an alternate destination.

As this is a winter overnight, participants should be prepared for varied weather conditions and must bring winter-capable shelter and sleep system, cooking / water treatment systems, and clothing.

Bear canisters are required.  Blue bags are required, as all waste must be carried out.  Each participant should bring a shovel for digging a communal dining area and (if needed) preparing a site for your tent.

Chains need to be carried in all cars, even 4WD/AWD.

Park entrance fee or America The Beautiful pass will be required for all drivers.

Participants will need to reimburse trip leader for $16/person (or $24/person if we stay a 3rd night) backcountry permit fee.