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Trip Report    

Mount Ellinor

  • Sat, Jan 3, 2015
  • Mount Ellinor
  • Day Hiking

We started from the lower trailhead. The Forest Road doesn't have any snow until at least a few miles in - some sections have bad potholes - however, further up there was slick snow/ice, so traction tires help.

The trail is in great shape. We didn't see any snow/ice on the trail until about 2 miles in. Traction devices are highly recommended as some of the ice and hardpack snow on the trail didn't melt out despite the warm day. There are plenty of boot tracks up to the summit; however, ice axes are highly recommended on the upper slopes, along with crampons or microspikes (if the slopes aren't too icy). One of our party wore microspikes and was fine with the softer snow in the afternoon.

This timeline gives a good idea of how long a leisurely day out will take. We stopped several times to take pictures, shed layers, etc, and had a long lunch on the summit.

Departed Seattle 6:40 am
Arrived lower TH ~8:40
Departed lower TH 9:05
1st junction with trail to upper TH 9:50
2nd junction with trail to upper TH 10:00
Junction of summer and winter routes 10:30
Arrived at summit ~12:15
Departed summit 1:00
Returned to lower TH ~3:00