Got to the TH around 10:30 am, and parked along the road with the others.

Hiked up the road to the summer lot, it's still snow covered adding an additional ½ mile to the trip overall.

This was my first time to Gold Creek pond, and wow, that view of the mountains over the pond is really quite beautiful. And it was especially fun since I've climbed a few of them, and seen the pond from above, so a fun change in perspective.

The entire way is compact snow. Didn't need spikes. A bit slushy in places. Never post-holed the whole route.

There were quite a few other parties out, but the trail never felt crowded. All of the bridge crossings are fine, nothing too sketchy.

Went out on that little peninsula thing to get a different perspective on the opposite side of the pond. The far side of the pond is starting to melt out, and saw quite a few ducks and geese enjoying that fact.

Finished it in about an hour, went really slow taking pictures.

The parking off the road was about as crowded as when I started. Not too bad.

This is a beautiful and easy trail, I will be back to see what it looks like in the summer.

On President's Day, found a ring that looks like someone might care about on the Gold Creek Trail, where people XC ski and snowmobile. Find me at raballweg [at] gmail if its yours. Has an "inscription" that starts with "P".

PLEASE hike responsibly and leash your dog.

My dog has been attacked on a hike twice by dog owners who leave their dogs off leash and did not have an emergency recall. Because of this of my dog has developed fear aggression.

I encountered a person this morning at Gold Creek Pond with an unleashed dog and I yelled "not friendly, please get your dog" and she replied, " well mine is!" 

I watched probably a dozen videos on what to do when dogs are off leash and today I did everything from throwing treats at them, putting myself in-between the two dogs, and spraying the dog with a pet corrector. I brought bear spray for times like these as a last resort but honestly I don't want it to escalate and I just don't know what to do. 

I told her she needs to leash her dog and at the very least, needs an emergency recall, but she kept saying "what?" as she was walking off. I'm torn because I know it's not my dogs fault for being attacked, but I might have to keep him inside for good. 

Only a little bit of snow and ice on the road off I-90. Not many cars at trailhead starting at 8:30 but a whole lot more when we returned to the car 10 am. Snow is packed and we had no need for traction, were just fine with hiking boots. Some did have snowshoes. Beautiful place. 

Nice day to be out! Beautiful sun and some clouds over the mountains here and there. The trail is pretty packed right now, so snowshoes are not needed. In fact I saw a lot of folks taking off the snowshoes and just walking it. However, there's a potential to slip at the bridge on the other side of the pond so we stayed in the middle to be safe.

The parking area is pretty busy today and there is a rough icy patch of road right in front of the sno-park trailhead where most cars were slipping, so I'd be careful and go very slowly. 

Also, you need a sno-park pass to park here, I saw a number of tickets on windshields on my way back to the car.