Reflection Lakes

On 2/8/15 we travelled the Reflection Lakes Loop from Narada Falls, up the trail to Stevens Creek Road, across the road and up to what I call the back side loop over Inspiration Saddle and down to the first and largest Reflection Lake. There we had lunch and discussed how the group wanted to return. We decided to stick to the plan and return via the road, even though we know half of it had been plowed. Most of the group had never seen this route and wanted to do so. The road back to Narada Falls had many bare spots and it was hard to stay on the snow in some spots. Several members of the group took off their snowshoes for the road portion. All-in-all, it was a much better day than expected. We had no precipitation and warm temperatures, in the high 40F's and filtered sunlight. The trail from Narada warming hut was hard packed snow and ice, mostly very icy, with several short bare dirt stretches. The route poles had been removed and were not necessary. On the back loop portion the poles were in place and the route well marked. Overall, the snowpack is the lowest I have ever seen it. I wouldn't try snowshoeing below Narada Falls without significant snowfall.