One last trek in the park before heading home!  I had saved this one for today as the gate would be closed to Paradise and there was supposed to be snow overnight that might make snowshoes an option. Previous trip reports said the trail was compact snow and that was still the case this morning.

It was lightly snowing when I entered the park and no one was parked at the trailhead around 9:45am.  I opted to just wear trail runners and gaiters with poles.  Be warned, the sketchiest section is that boardwalk at the beginning. Don't let your guard down like I did. Thankfully no one was there to see me...

It was a lovely walk in the woods with the occasional peak out across Kautz Creek towards TumTum Peak and Peak 4399.  I guess if you really wanted to snowshoe you could, there is enough snow along the beaten path.

Based on previous trip reports I anticipated being stopped above where the trail drops down to the bridge but it really wasn't a problem to navigate. Full disclosure, someone had done it ahead of me, probably yesterday.  But if you go over about 6 feet from where the trail comes out, it is possible to step under a tree and hold onto a log to take 3-4 steps down.

I postholed a little but the gaiters did their job.  After the bridge it would be more postholing and a climb towards Peak 4399 so I just enjoyed the solitude for awhile.  The snow picked up as I made my way back, the road was covered as I got back in my car around 11am.  The trip was about 2.4 miles.

I had planned to also walk the Westside Road but with so little new snow, snow coming down more aggressively and a desire to make it north on 405 before traffic picked up, I decided to head home.  All in all, a great long weekend in the park.

Kautz Ceek trail is snow covered but well packed down. About  1.25 miles where you drop into the creek channel the trail comes to an end. There is about a 15 ft drop ending in a side channel to the main creek. I had read the last trip report in mid January but had hoped to get down as they did. I know I was on the right trail as there was stone steps barely uncovered and a cut log end right at the drop off. Looking down stream there may be a way to scramble down but covered in snow and solo I turned around. Retraced my steps a couple times to make sure I had not missed a turn off. I also saw only untracked snow on the other side of the small creek. See picture looking upstream. Had not done this trail and will be back in the spring to try again. Did find several good sized snow people along this easy flat section and added a small one. Saw no humans. Had a plan b of westside road so I went there.

Westside road is lovely when covered in snow! Similar to Mathers Memorial/ Hwy 410. Road climbs for the first 3/4 ml and then flattens out for a nice long stretch. There are glimpses of Tahoma Creek and several lovely waterfalls within the first 1.5 miles. A nice compact track has been created. About at the 2 mile mark the road comes close to Tahoma Creek and I was able to have lunch alongside the creek. Saw quite a bit of old beaver activity here and a great view to Tum Tum Mt. Continued on about another mile to the s curves and a view of Mt Ararat. The wind had really picked up and the road started climbing more so I decided to turn around at about the 3 mile mark. Again saw no humans only a lopsided snow mouse / rabbit - see photo.

Road into park snow covered and icy.Used micro spikes - carried never used snowshoes. Heard red breasted nuthatcher and douglas squirrels. Herd of elk outside Elbe. Spotted raven with nesting material-spring is coming!

I hiked up the Kautz Creek trail on a weekday, headed at least to the creek crossing, if not further up towards Indian Henry's, etc.  The trail was well packed, but with not a lot of new traffic since the weekend.  I used snowshoes.  Where the trail leaves the bank to descent to the bridge over Kautz Creek, there was no longer trail.  Looking at past reports, it seems that this steep descent which was improved in recent years with new stairs, washed out in early December.  There is at least a 10' drop to what might be left of the trail, now buried under at least 3 ' of show.  No one has been there recently, judging by the lack of any snow trail signs down to the bridge.  Don't plan on going further unless you are prepared for some serious loose snow technical climbing.

Ngie and I got up to Tumtum Peak today via the Kautz Creek trail. Parking area and road are snow free.

Trail up to the Kautz Creek crossing is snow free and in good shape. However at the creek crossing the trail is washed out as it descends down to the log bridge. The log bridge is fine, but for us to get down to it, we had to do some scramble moves thru a short section of vegetation and downed logs. In fact this was the worst of the bushwack for the whole trip! haha!(pic2 is the washed out trail)

At around 3000ft we left the trail. There was no snow here and for most of the way up there was no snow either. Travel was fairly easy, as it was mostly open forest, with hardly any underbrush. It was mostly straight up, and some of the sections were quite steep.

The summit area may have had 2-4" of consolidated snow, that's it. The summit of Tumtum is mostly forested, so no views. We dropped down to the west about 85 ft for lunch and a better view, but the best we got was from pic 1.

We put micro spikes on for the descent, which helped a lot. Snowshoes got a free ride today, as there was minimal to no snow!!

Fun trip!! 7.1 miles with 2507 ft gain. About 100ft of the gain was trying to find a good view up on the summit area, as we walked up and down the ridge top, searching for a view through the trees!!

Spent a short weekend at an Ashford cabin aimed at doing a bunch of easy walks/snowshoes..

Paradise ( sunday ):

• After breaking the mother-in-law on the carpark ice, did the usual uphill to the base of pano point, but this time in snowshoes
• Snow varied from firm to deep depending on wind deposit direction.
• Small triggered slides on SW aspect ~6000 with 5" soft on medium crust
• Sad the road is only open sat/sun this year, as there is certainly the demand, with the upper lot probably 80% full
• Chains required to be at least carried by all ( can rent in Ashford ), and when we visited the conditions required them to be worn for 2WDs.
• They are serious about locking the gate at the designated time, so don't play it too close at the end of the day.  Ranger guy told us that if you get locked out, go to the front desk at the Inn and they will call a ( likely grumpy ) ranger to leave their dinner.

Minor walks:

• Longmire meadows: Just did the small loop from the lodge, and hadn't realized there were so many springs. Trail 50% snow, but was a bit icy at times, so recommend carrying light traction even if you don't use it. Hot chocolate at the Inn was worth it, especially drinking on the veranda rocking chairs ( how decadent )
• Twin firs loop: Small little 0.4mi up/down loop, with forest and creek being the main attraction, 98% snow free
• Kautz Creek: Wandered up for some way past the viewpoint on easy trail, main attraction being pretty bench forests and the view upward at Rainier. 95% snow free, but the initial boardwalk was pretty slick, not sure why they don't use a layer of chicken wire ( or equivalent ) like other places in the world
• Pastries and "hot tub" were terrific at the Ukrainian place ( Paradise Village ) in Ashford

When we were there the weather up top was grey, but we did get glimpses of the mountain with a glorious dusting of fresh snow, so will definitely try another winter time visit