Gold Creek Pond

  We drove over Snoqualmie pass from Seattle to do some snowshoeing despite the dismal weather. After crossing over the pass we encountered heavy slushy snow falling so we backtracked a bit and went to Gold Creek Pond where it was just cold enough to be snowing real snow. The road to the trailhead from the freeway exit at that time had 6 or more inches of snow on it- although a few trucks driving on it mashed it down enough to keep it somewhat driveable. From the trailhead we had to break trail to the pond, there was new snow over a firm base making a pleasant trip.
 When we got to the pond it was snowing lightly. We were surprised by the sight of a snowshoe? hare or jackrabbit in winter attire bounding into some trees in the distance. Then we realized he was being quietly followed by a bobcat (or lynx?)who stopped and stared at us and then skirted around us into the trees. After waiting a while with poised cellphone camera to try and get a shot without any luck we turned back down the trail and saw from some fresh tracks that the wiley bunny had crossed right behind us while we were distracted- which is why the bobcat seemed so interested in us!
  It turned out to be a much better day than we expected. the snow on the road had melted to bare pavement in places during the short time we were hiking but the snow was turning to drizzle as the day warmed up.
  On the return we stopped at the Library in North Bend where they have a new system set up for anybody to view and print recreation maps! thumbs up king County libraries