Kendall Peak Lakes Snowshoe

Party of two today, one skinning and one snowshoeing. Started early-ish to avoid the crowds, left the parking lot around 9. The first mile is very hard packed with ruts worn in by sledders. Traction devices would suffice (yak-trax or otherwise). Once the switchbacks start, trail becomes a two-lane snowshoe track that continues up about 1/3 way to the top that gradually softens, then narrows to a single-lane snowshoe track. Continues to the lake as a well-packed snowshoe track. We headed off the road to the left near the hairpin turn that heads toward Coal Creek, and broke trail up the mountain side, eventually meeting up with the trail again at the top meadow. Decided to divert to the overlook instead of going to the lake, and took in a most-excellent view with a wonderfully blue sky and loads of sun. The ski down was superb, filled with powdery turns as we cut between switchbacks. Trail was very busy toward the bottom with loads of kids, sleds and folks out for a walk.

Overall, a great day! Once off the trail, the snow is excellent. The snowshoe track is essentially hardback and made for easy trekking, while the bottom portion of the trail is in need of more snow due to all of the sledding making for a crusty, rutted trail.