Came to the east side to avoid rain on our weekly hike. Nice hike! Most of the trail is compacted ice, so spikes were very helpful. Cold,  but nice! 

An ethereal fog has settled over the Kittitas Valley the last couple of weeks. While it is dreary on the valley floor, it is spectacular up high in the surrounding hills! This trip report is for two hikes on the same trail, in the same week. The first, on Tuesday evening 1/25/22, was clear and beautiful above the cloud inversion. The second today, Thursday 1/27/22, was also beautiful but completely in the clouds. 

Today, we didn’t really snowshoe up the Boy Scout Trail, but went up it for just maybe a quarter mile or so and then headed off to the right (west) on tracks leading to the Prater Trail, passed that trail, and continued west and uphill for an hour or so. The terrain and snow made for delightful traveling. It alternated between sagebrush, timber, and open areas. We crossed several other tracks, animal and human, and kept working up and west.  This was a great workout and offered wonderful views of the rolling hills and glimpses of the valley below. When the afternoon light began to wane towards evening, we turned back and cut cross-country to intersect the Prater Trail and then down.  At the turnaround, we went side hill for a bit, and that’s when my snowshoe broke. Again! A rivet failed, and the snowshoe was the rest of the way sloppy on the foot. I was disgusted, as this was the second time in the last couple of years that this shoe failed.  And it shouldn’t do so. It is made by a very popular snowshoe manufacturer, and I see their snowshoes often in the area. They aren’t cheap. They should be made durable. The last time it failed, of course in the middle of winter like this time, I called them and mailed it in and had to wait six (6!) weeks for the fix. Not acceptable.  I’m done with them. I just ordered another brand and they will arrive within the week, which really matters, as I use them several times a week. In the meantime, I will be picking trips appropriate for my skis, or use my wife’s snowshoes ( the ones I bought to use while mine were being fixed the first time).  Anyway, it’s a first world problem, and despite the frustration, I had a great trip today out in the hills and on new, fluffy snow.  

Today we hiked up the Boy Scout Trail and down the Westberg Trail. Spikes were essential and poles helpful. There is snow and ice the whole loop. Spikes make a treacherous hike enjoyable. It was about 18 degrees the whole time we were hiking and we saw about 15 other hikers. There was an overcast today, but there were still great views down to the valley and Ellensburg. This area provides very nice hiking in the pine and sagebrush biomes. There are several hikes here to explore, and in the warmer seasons, lots of mountain biking opportunities. 

A winter wonderland in the hills above Ellensburg today! Went up the Boy Scout trail (at the cement blocks just past the yellow gate and orchard turn right to follow the irrigation canal for 1/2 a mile). Turn into the canyon for a more gradual path up in the woods. Dry compact snow the whole way. Packed spikes but never used them. Trail was clear and easy to follow. Was hoping to break through the clouds but never did completely. At the top I saw patches of blue sky and peekaboo views. Beautiful scenery nonetheless. Took Westberg down. Great hike in the snow without much fuss. Saw four people in 2.5 hours. No watch stats today.