First snowshoeing of the season. The normal easy trail became longer and harder. They didn't plow the road to the Gold Creek Pond trailhead. My SUV got stuck early. We could not dig the it out. Couple nice guys help us to tow it out! Thanks so much!!! We parked by the Kendall Lakes trailhead and walked 1.8 mile to the trailhead. Outhouses were closed for the season. Mostly snow on the pond. We took turns to break trail on deep fresh snow around the pond. It was a hard work! The scenery was as beautiful as usual. I forgot to bring gaiters, so my feet got wet and cold. 🥶

From AllTrails: 4.8 miles with 213 feet elevation gain.

We wanted to take advantage of the bluebird morning and arrived around 9am today (Saturday) to only two cars in the parking lot. There isn’t enough snow on the trail for snowshoes but we used Yaktrax, and those were fine for us. Our kids (9, 7, and 2.5) just walked in their boots and no one slipped or fell. We walked around the pond (the trail is in great shape the whole way), and then just hung out while the kids played with their sleds. There really aren’t any proper sledding areas here but when has that ever stopped determined kids, ha?! About 20-25 cars when we left around noon. 
NOTE: you do need a Sno Park Permit to park here through winter. Also, the restroom is no longer being maintained, and the parking lot trash can is sealed up so please do not dump trash next to it, pack it all out. 
Gold Creek Pond is worth a visit in any season, but is so beautiful and sparkly in the sunshine with all this snow, definitely plan a winter visit! 

Gorgeous (and cold) walk around the pond today. Snow/ice covering a significant portion of the path all the way around. Almost slipped a few times but kept upright with good boots and walking carefully. I was disappointed to see that folks had left a bunch of trash at the trailhead where it clearly says to “pack it out.”  Looks like folks were using the trash can despite this signage, and a bear or some other wildlife got into it (see picture - would have picked it up if I had trash bags/appropriate sanitation gear). Please pack it out in the future!

Clear and temperate weather day, air was very clear, making viewing of the mountains and forest spectacular. trail was in very good condition, and the trail was damp but not muddy. fall colors were everywhere. lots of hikers and the parking lot was full. only negative was all the garbage cans were full, despite signs asking hikers to take out their trash.