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Trip Report    

Moonlight Snowshoe Gold Creek Pond Basin

Easy snowshoe trip with bright moonlight. Included Gold Creek Pond & Heli's Pond.

  • Road suitable for all vehicles
  • Snow surface was crusty, hard-packed and probably could have been accomplished with boots plus microspikes. To the side of the tramped-down snow-trail, the snow crust was thick but underneath was fluffy snow.  Except for the loop around Gold Creek Pond, snowmobiles and/or other equipment have created wide tracks. On the north side of the pond, there were a couple deep holes in the snow-trail.  Beware of the deep trenches at the entrance to the trail in the Sno-Park near the portatpotty. We turned our vehicle around here and it was work to keep the tires from being trapped in those deep ruts ... the vehicle would have been stuck, for sure.

A bit worried by the rainfall during the drive to the trailhead. However, 34º and light snowshowers at the start turned into crisp air with no precipitation within 15 minutes and time for a clothing break. To find solitude & calm from a very large group that started at the same time, we veered off toward Heli's Pond and, on the return, went clockwise around Gold Creek Pond. The night sky was often clear but occasional wispy clouds added drama. Jupiter was intensely bright despite being close to the almost-full moon.  Had hoped for a post-trip social stop at The Commonwealth afterward, but the trip ended at 9pm which is closing time at the restaurant.  The group enjoyed sharing moonglow, planets and stars together.

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Clouds above Heli's Pond illuminated by lights at The Summit ski area
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Bright moonlight on mountains north of the frozen surface of Gold Creek Pond
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Staring up at the amazing night sky.