Quick note before report- I left a pair of MSR snowshoes on the road before it becomes impassable. They are gray with a red crampon, if anyone finds them please contact me- worgenftw@gmail.com.

If you're headed out here, you can get to the trailhead even though you can't get down the road due to ice and snow from the plows. We parked on the other side of the tracks and headed down the road to find the trailhead. When we went the road was completely flooded out, but that was probably just due to the pouring rain, regardless due to creek crossings and snow coverage, you need waterproof gear and snow shoes.

We went out trying to find a trail to snowshoe and hoping that it would be snowing up in the pass. We were disappointed to find that it was still raining, pouring in fact. However, the trail (and the road up to it past where the plow stops) were completely snow covered and we really wanted to go, so we put on our waterproof gear and went. The trail was easy to find and very easy to follow as the last couple hikers' footprints were still visible and they had packed the snow down some. We didn't get very far before we put on our snow shoes. Some poor guy went at some point without a pair, there were postholes most of the way to the creek before it seems he turned around. The snow was deep which made the bridges and small stream crossings difficult. Most of the streams we were able to jump or cross with the aid of poles, a couple we just walked through. There was one though that we walked upstream a bit to find a better place to cross because the log crossing was dangerous with as much snow as there was on top of it.

Not long after that detour from the trail we came to Surprise Creek. It looked more like a river due to all the rain lately. We walked upstream to try to find a good place to cross, but none of the logs looked good enough to risk it so we turned around. It was quite the adventure with a couple close calls but it was a great hike.

Many more details about our attempted trip to Surprise Lake on my blog here.

Last Saturday we attempted to snowshoe at Skyline Lake, but due to our late start, the lot was completely full by the time we got there (11:30). We decided to try for Surprise Lake instead, despite the additional mileage. 

The parking lot was in good shape with slushy snow, and the snow was patchy for the first half mile. We continued in hiking boots until just before the log crossing when we switched to snowshoes. 

Unfortunately, when we reached the log crossing at 1.8 miles, it was a little too sketchy for us to attempt. There were no recent tracks, the log pretty narrow and the creek was running high beneath it. We looked along the creek bed below and after the crossing but couldn't find a suitable log. The other logs were heavily corniced, and given the warm temperatures, we decided to turn around. 

So our 8-mile lake trip turned into a 4-mile creek trip, but it was still a nice hike! 

 

Got a late start to the day and didn't arrive to the trailhead until noon. The snow seemed pretty light, so I decided to leave my snowshoes in the truck (bad idea, I should have packed them). Overall, it was a great afternoon. I hiked in my boots and despite a little slipping, it was okay. I made excellent time and knocked out the first 4 miles in under 90 minutes. But then around 0.75 miles from the lake the trail suddenly disappeared and without snowshoes it became too difficult to continue. But the trip up Surprise Creek was great. One difficult crossing on a frozen log (see photo) but I was careful and didn't have any other problems. Grabbed lunch and came back down in a hour. I suggest microspikes for the first 3 miles and then switch to snowshoes!

We "risked" a snowshoe here on MLK day.  I say risk, because there didn't appear to be too much snow (from the road) a couple of miles before.  There were around 5 cars at the trail-head, and we only ran into a two groups during our journey.  Despite the rain washing away some of the snow, there's ample reason to utilize snowshoes, even if you're only going a couple of miles up the creek.  The traction of the snowshoes were nice to have on the crunchy snow, and I still post-holed a few times.

We proceeded at a very leisurely pace: 3.5 hrs for 4.5 miles at 500 ft gain.

Surprise Creek Trail never fails, it's was a delightful day.  Blue skies with some low-hanging clouds.  No snow-bombs in the trees, but plenty of the white stuff (mixed with the green stuff) to make for beautiful views.  One of the creek-crossings was a little much for us, but the integrity of the steps and boardwalk is holding true.  There was only one minor tree down that we crossed.

 

I have never done this hike as a snow shoe and it was a workout with all the fresh snow.  We left the trail hear around 8:50 and they had just plowed the area for parking. We initially drove across the tracks but I opted to park on the Highway 2 side as then snow was pretty deep. Right as we were ready to leave a train pulled up and stopped so we had to walk around the front very carefully.  We started from the truck with snow shoes as the conditions warranted. There are a few stream crossing that are easy to walk through initially.  There are two water crossings that require snow shoes on a log but go slowly and carefully and you will be fine. 

After the second water crossings you cross some talus fields.  Be careful about the spaces between the rocks as some of the snow isnt solid.  There are a few "valleys" that are pretty much dry stream crossing that you have to hop over. I did fall through and dropped five feet but just pulled myself back up.  There are voids and you can get injured in these areas.  

We lost the trail a few times but just used the GPS and headed up hill in the correct direction.  If you hike in the next few days you might benefit from our breaking trail.  I heard snow is on the way but we left some deep valleys.  Poles are a personal choice.  They were a little bit of a pain walking through some of the narrow areas where you had to hold them above your head.

We arrived at the lake at about 12:50,so four hours but that was breaking trail and navigating. We had a turn around time of 1pm so if would have been nice to make it a little further.