Trip Report
Rampart Ridge Loop
Clear, cool day, best in Microspikes.
Terri Pressly
- Tue, Jan 10, 2023
- Rampart Ridge Loop
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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Road open to Longmire, parking lot and road bare and wet. Inn at Longmire open for restroom, snacks. If using a EV Inn takes payments. Whittakers closed on a Tue. My guess is lack of business due to Paradise closure. The enterance ranger wants you to carry traction devices.
Roads good, clear day. Gate to Paradise closed at Longmire. We hiked opting for Micro spikes clockwise. Started out with micro spikes, snow spotty and firm most of the way up. Saw some post holing evidence. Quite windy at the lookout, noticed snow blowing on top of Rainer. Way down lost the wind after the exposed view of Rainer where you enter the trees . Most people using microspikes, saw a couple carrying snow shoes and one person counter clock wise using snow shoes.
I'd recommend lots of layering, I wore gaiters but 2 others did not.
Take some care around the first slope down and at lower creek crossings.
Average moving speed 1.5 MPH 5.31 miles per Gaia app. Elevation gained 1,379
Longmire has a week day special, 2 night "Stay, play, eat" special. :https://secure.webrez.com/Bookings105/activity-edit.html