Intermediate Snowshoe - Lake Valhalla via Smithbrook Road

Lake Valhalla is a special winter prize - between road conditions, avy considerations and navigation challenges, this can be a fun trip for experienced snowshoers. This recent WTA report makes it sound pretty good, considering the low snowpack. 

Bring your ice axe, helmet, avalanche gear (beacon / shovel / probe - see note below) and a flexible attitude: we might get to the lake, or might not. My #1 goal is to stay safe and (#2) get some exercise in fresh air. We will make all decisions as a group and aim to be back at the cars well before dark. Here's a report from my trip from a few years ago (with much more snow, though).

Leader permission not required, but make sure you are comfortable with the distance and elevation gain listed above. If you are an experienced snowshoer or scrambler, feel free to sign up as Assistant Leader.

Routes: Lake Valhalla (WTA) and Mount McCausland (Mountaineers). 

Avy danger: if the NWAC forecast for the day is Considerable (orange) at any elevation, we will switch to a backup location (Skyline Lake and Ridge). If it's raining a significant amount, trip will likely get cancelled. Avalanche gear recommended, if you have the training, but not mandatory. 

TBA, probably FR6700 pullout around 8am. No permit needed. Carpooling strongly encouraged to reduce our impact on parking and environment.