Trail is well marked and easily traversable with a few trees across the path. This made for a bit of trail limbo from time to time.
Quite a lot of water drainage from recent rains, gulley along west side was full and flowing.
We beat the atmospheric river which arrived, perfectly timed, just as we returned to the cars, and found a successful trip in considerable Avy conditions too.
A long and strenuous trip with rewarding views on the top.
A downwind sailing run from Leque Island to Kiket Island.
Arrived at the trailhead on a wet midweek morning to an empty parking lot. Privy has been serviced. The trail is in typical winter shape. Wet, but no snow up to the lake.
The Silly Stilly paddled at low water: fun, boney, and quite technical. More difficult than I remembered.
Powder several feet deep! Fluffy and untracked! Wow. Glad this destination has been added to the Mountaineers repertoire, just 1.5 hr from North Bend (where we consolidated vehicles).
Cold weather inversion made temps colder than initially expected, but a warming hut offered a superb place to warm up for 1st and 2nd lunches.
Cold weather inversion made temps colder than initially expected, but a warming hut offered a superb place to warm up for 1st and 2nd lunches.
Frigid temperatures for this short trip provided opportunity to test effectiveness of cold-weather apparel and preparations. Surprising number of other people at the Falls for such a cold day (+14º)
Today was a good break in the weather. Although there was packed snow on the gravel road from the shooting range, we were able to safely drive to the uppermost parking lot by the trailhead. The trail conditions were perfect and we donned our snowshoes at the parking lot. We traveled to the Hut, where we spent almost an hour enjoying lunch, taking photos, and visiting with newfound travelers. We all stayed together and traveled back to the vehicles for a debrief and a safe trip home.
5 hours up, 3 hours down, with 1/2 hour at the summit. Snowy road walk. Snowshoes on at 2200'.
Surprisingly good conditions, especially so given the vigorous weather in so many other locales. Glorious Mount Constance views on this beautiful 5000’ gain trip from the Dosewallips River Road. (lead photo from the summit of Valhalla, The Brothers on the left to the SSW)