Dalles Ridge

Trip was re-routed to nearby Sun Top based on apparent lack of snow on Dalles Ridge. Sun Top road has lots of trees down, probably from last Sunday's wind storm. Road is gated at the Sno-Park, so you have to hoof all five miles for now. Snowshoes were donned at about MP 2.5 and worn the rest of the way. Fortunately for us we hit a break between storm systems and the trip was in sunshine most of the day. Great view of Rainier from the top and we could confirm by looking ENE that there was in fact very little snow on Dalles Ridge, Huckleberry Ridge and the surrounding lower terrain. Last half-mile was on the trail, which is steep and the snow, while not very deep, was very wet and slushy. Managed a short, 50% glissade on part of the way down the trail. All in all a pretty darn good day when the forecast is for rain and you get warm sunshine!