Beginner Snowshoe - Reflection Lakes

Meet at various car pooling locations. Then meet at final rendezvous location: Whittaker's Bunkhouse in Ashford at 0900. Whittaker's has coffee and a warm spot to arrange who goes in which vehicle into the park. The park has an entry fee that is waived for pass holders, so one pass holder per car can avoid the fee. Secondly, the park does require chains to be carried in every vehicle. I have an extra set. If you do, please bring them to share. Chains are required throughout the month of April.

Further details will be arranged as Sunday gets closer. This is a relaxed trip, so the 0900 time should allow an easy start to your day.

We will wander from the Narada Falls parking lot to Stevens Canyon road. Following the road we will arrive at Reflection Lakes where we will decide where to go next. We could circle the lake. We could decide to follow the S side of the lakes and go down to Louise Lake. We could decide to ascend Mazama Ridge and return to Paradise and descend to Reflection Lakes and Narada Falls. There are many choices. But, this is an EASY trip that needs to be easy. 

There has been a couple feet of new snow in recent days. We need to be aware of steep slopes and avoid the possibility of snow slides. 

I like navigation. I will bring map, compass, a GPS, and a phone GPS app. This will be a chance for anyone to sharpen up navigation skills. 

This tour counts as an experience trip for Backcountry course participants. If they are on the tour, expect a lot of extra practice in winter route finding. The hills above the lakes have gullies, ridges, and obstacles that can be great fun and good practice, while still keeping the tour easy.

I hope to see a big turnout. The season is definitely not at an end.