Commonwealth Basin

2/16/15

Snowshoes are not needed now, but microspikes are. We took the PCT route, planning to join up with the old trail at the 2.5 mile point. Don't be fooled by the snow at the parking lot, the trail is mostly snow-free until just before the junction with the old trail. Lots of icy, crusty, slippery spots. We turned around at the waterfall because it had spattered an ice sheen all over the rocks, rendering them quite treacherous, and the only alternative was to walk through the water, which was of course unusually high due to the melt. Great views of the Snoqualmie peaks on this sunny day. Snow cover is better on shaded aspects at the bottom of the basin.