Noble Knob

Corral Pass / Noble Knob : Corral Pass road FS7174 is clear to the top, but you'll need to navigate snow the last 1/2 mile. There is substantial snow on Noble Knob trail at the start, with drifts over 5' deep. The trail to Mutton Mtn is 3/4 clear, and manageable even with patchy snow. WARNING: I continued on past Noble Knob to the top of Ranger Creek, and encountered 1 1/2 miles of SOLID SNOW. There are massive blowdowns, and the hike took HOURS, not the normal under an hour trip across the top. I couldn't see the trail virtually all the way from Noble Knob to the top of Ranger Creek, finding my way by ridgetop, and my familiarity with the trail when clear of snow. I've never seen this much snow in 40 years of using this area. Ranger creek is clear from about 500' above the cabin. Pallisades is clear, and the trees have been removed, so both are viable options. Deep creek appeared buried in snow as far as the eye could see, also.