We stopped by the Rangers station Presidents day morning and checked to see if the road would be open. But the station was closed and the sheets outside didn't say anything about the Squire Creek Road. About 2 miles down the road we began to encounter spots of snow, nothing difficult, it was all on level spots. But after about 4 miles, it became dangerous for my car, even though we saw tracks from a truck continue on. So we decided to hike the road and see how far we could get. The road parallels Squire Creek and the Mountains on either side made it a beautiful walk. After a mile of walking the tracks for the truck stopped and tracks from a four wheeler started. By now the rain was beginning to sink in, and we saw no signs of the trailhead even appearing soon, so we turned around after about 3 miles of hiking on the road. Overall, it would make a good X-country ski road, or maybe even snowshoe, but I like trails more than roads for hiking. Also on the way down the snow took my muffler off. Ahh, but we were able to fix it. If you plan on getting to the trailhead, bring a 4-wheel drive vehicle, with a high clearance. Happy Hiking!

squire creek trail is now snowed in for the winter. need 4x4 to get to the trail head

The road is slick, but four-wheel driveable to the trailhead. The snow is shallow to nonexistent the first one and a half miles. Through the mist, the frosted Squire Creek Wall on Whitehorse appeared. Plenty of water, roots and rocks to dodge. When the trail starts to gain elevation in the switchbacks, the snow becomes deeper. We postholed like crazy. Snowshoes will not be helpful at this time, as the deteriorated condition of this trail routes most of the water where people can walk. Mostly we just went upstream. We lost the trail just below the boulderfield. At this time it was snowing lightly, and visibility was about fifty feet. We imagined what the view of Queest-Alb would look like and turned around. On a clear day, the three miles to the viewpoint at the boulders is more than worth the effort. R/T six miles, four hours.

We drove as far up Squire Creek road as we could. The snow stopped us at about 1500'. It was approximately two miles of soft snow to the trailhead. Snowshoes would have helped. The old road turned trail stays open for another half mile before the trees close in and limit the amount of snow on the ground. The travelling got much easier. We stopped and dried off at the very wet dry wash. From here the trail switchbacks one and a half miles up to the boulder field. (Avalanche field this time of year.) Due to time constraints we turned around. My best guess is another three or four weeks until you can actually drive to the trailhead. 7 miles, 4 hours roundtrip. I can't believe my truck was parked right next to Pilar's ride. Maybe we'll meet next time.

The day was too gorgeous to spend in the city!! Heading up the forest road, I was stopped by snow at only 1000' elevation. The overnight freeze put a crust on what would have been superior powder. I put the snowshoes on and climbed 1000' in three miles to the trailhead. The stream was as low as I've ever seen, but will probably come up with the temperature. Now the hiking got tough. (boo-hoo) The snow was about five feet deep and drifted from here on out. I can see the drainage channels our WTA crew rebuilt last July, working, even under the snow. About 3/4 mile down the trail (abandoned road) the trees finally parted for a panorama of the mountains that had been peeking through the forest. Stellar views of Three Fingers, Mt. Bullon, and the cliffs of Whitehorse. I had lunch and watched (heard) the avalanches pour down the opposite side of the valley. After this point, there were many creeks to jump, and the route became less obvious. This route is not too strenuous, and appeared to be safe from avalanches. The enjoyment factor was pure, however, mileage and elevation are approximate.