Every time I visit the mountain in December, it is different. It will be different today than yesterday because snow is falling again.

The snow was crisp and crunchy rather than the ideal soft fluffy white that makes snowshoeing fun. I parked at the hairpin turn and headed up trail 100, missing the start of the trail and crunching overland to meet it for the trek uphill to the upper parking lot. As I climbed, there was more frost on the trees, but no fresh snow. I passed a hiker with a dog who completed the same loop in reverse without snowshoes.

As I crossed the closed summit road, I picked up trail 131 to trail 130 which was nicely packed to Bald Knob Campground. Lots of folks use this to start their summit treks, including a man who was snowshoe-joring with his two large dogs. After the campground, the trail was less distinct in places, but I had no difficulty following it to the CCC Cabin where I paused for lunch by the fire. There were a couple of snowmobiles parked out front, their drivers chatting away.

After lunch, I headed down the Kit Carson Loop to saddle junction, where I picked up trail 140. The loop road was groomed for snowmobiles, but I only saw one which passed me twice. Trail 140 was more of a trace than a trail at the top. It was difficult all the way down, as it was icy and had not been packed down to snowshoe width. Near the top, I followed and avoided moose tracks for about a half mile. Closer to the bottom, I followed deer tracks which did not suck my snowshoes in like the big moose holes did. There was a tree down across the second switchback from the bottom, cutting across the trail twice.

At Smith Gap, I skipped the warming hut and headed down the Loop Road, as the day was short and my hike was long enough. 

When I returned to the parking lot around 3:00, the park ranger was issuing tickets for those who did not display snow park permits. She was allowing drivers to buy permits rather than pay the fine.  Be sure to buy and display your Snow Park Pass.

It’s white Friday. Time to #optoutside for some fun on the mountain. About 4-6 inches of snow fell last night, frosting the trees and rendering the trail white and beautiful. We had the privilege of creating the first tracks to the CCC Cabin, as well as leaving a few snow angels along the way. The sky was overcast and sometimes dropped fresh flakes or blew fog our way.  We hung out a bit at the cabin before hiking back to the cars. The trail was hikable in boots, gaiters are a good idea too. Snow shoes were not necessary.

The Spokane Mountaineers headed out from the Cook Cabin parking lot for this week’s Wednesday night hike. We followed the Upper Kit Carson Loop to the CCC Cabin and a heard brief word on the history of the area. We continued down the Loop to Saddle Junction where we admired the new door on the outhouse before heading up trail 130 to Day Mountain. After a brief break for snacks, we headed down trail 130 to connect with the Kit Carson Loop and hiked back up to Saddle Junction. Instead of retracing our steps, we turned onto upper trail 140 which took us up a steep grade on our way back to the parking lot. We encountered a few downhill cyclists on our way.  A short jaunt on the Kit Carson Loop finished our hike. 

Weather on the mountain was significantly cooler than in town. The trail was dry and dusty. In places it was beautifully maintained, in others, brush has grown over the sides and might benefit from some WTA love and care.

The wildflowers were beautiful as we approached Day Mountain through meadows. There were a few ripe huckleberries, but not as many as last year. They may be arriving late this year, or the odd warm weather last winter may have hurt the crop.

#trailsandales

Hiked the road in to the CCC cabin from the upper parking lot. Very little snow on the road and much more pleasant to walk then balancing on the snow left on the trail. The snow increased by the cabin and did a little post holing but easily managable. From there we hiked to the summit, little patchy snow, until the top where there is a easy to cross snowfield. Beautiful day with views in all directions. The squirrels at the Vista House where quite pesky and got way to close for comfort as we ate our snacks. Hiked back down to car. 5.5 miles and 1400 elevation gain. 

Cloudy day so we headed up and low and behold sunshine on the mountain. Took a friend for there first time snowshoeing and she did great, this trail is for everyone. Parked in sno Park parking lot crossed road and headed up at the Trailhead. First stop was Bald Knob. Then off we went across the snowfield to cross the,closed for the winter summit rd., look for trail marker 130. This trail is some of the best views and takes you back to the CC cabin with gentle ups and downs. We were sweating from the sun! After lunch we cleaned up and headed back the way we came.