My wife and I decided to snowshoe to Talapus Lake as we were both curious how much the recent snowfall had changed conditions since our last visit on 12/9/01. The first challenge was getting by plowed snow left by DOT at the entrance to FRS 9030. Fortunately the snow was only three feet deep and about twenty-five feet wide on the far right end of the road. After thirty minutes I had shoveled about two feet off the top, stamped down any remaining soft sections, and then drove our Subaru over the top. We drove about one and one-half miles up 9030 until the snow was to deep to continue, however, the real challenge will be just past two miles where a small avalanche covers the road with about ten feet of snow. It will take some time for this accumulation to melt. At the trailhead there was three and one-half feet of snow and the conditions were wet and soft all the way to the lake. Very few parties had ventured beyond this point and by the first plateau there were no tracks in front of us except for one party that had turned off the trail and headed in a Northwest direction. We left the trail at the first contact point with Talapus Creek and went straight up hill to the final switchback that leads to the wilderness boundary sign. Snow covered the lower portions of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness sign so I would put the depth here at six feet. We took the winter route to Talapus Lake staying on the West side of the creek and were rewarded with a very serene break, except of course for the always-entertaining Gray Jays. Encountered only two other parties that were snow shoeing on 9030.

Left the trailhead at 730am to go for pratt lake. Had a group of 7 and we made our way and the tracked trail towards the granite mtn junction and then continued on the trail to pratt lake. Dense forest kept out much of the light, and the trail did not need snowshoes till about mile 2 or so. Hit an open slope and then traversed into more trees and the ridgeline. Broke trail from here on out. Ran into a few guys that said they were looking for Granite Mountain (a little bit off I would say). Hit the ridge and descended down to Ollalie Lake. Sun came out and warmed us as we ate our lunches. Pratt Lake was right over the Northwestern ridge, but we had other things on the agenda so we left.

The Forest Service road up to the trail head is not plowed so Boy Wonder and I park at the snow-bank several hundred yards after exiting I-90 at exit 45. Climbed into our snowshoes immediately and headed cross-country north northeast through the trees to cut some of the road switchbacks and make better time. Barely enough snow in the woods for 'shoeing at these lower elevations. Temperature is warm (45 degrees?) and the snow is pretty wet and heavy. With cross-country shortcuts it's about 1 mile to trail head from truck; took us about 1-1/4 hours of leisurely walking. Snow is deeper up here but same wet heavy stuff. Strike off cross country again soon after leaving the trail head for Talapus Lake; sign says 2.2 miles to the lake. We continue north northeast-ish until we get to about 3200 ft. elevation. Very pleasant walk through the forest, fair amount of sunshine and blue sky mixed in with passing clouds. Cross several snow fields on the hillside with good views of hills and mountains to the south. Stay at 3200 ft. level until we run into Talapus Lake. Four hour travel time from the truck to lake, it's sweaty work breaking trail in this wet cement. Eat the rest of our lunch at the lake and have a little nip o' brandy while enjoying the glamorous views across the lake as the sun shone on the northern hillside of the tree covered basin. 2-1/2 hour ramble back to the truck, wheeeee-eee! It's great fun sliding down the steep embankments when we cut the switchbacks on the way back.

Best day for a hike in the snow. We climbed to Talapus in 4 hours,elevation gain about 1600 feet, back down in 2 1/2, elevation loss 1600. We strapped on the snowshoes at the car and began cutting every switchback that the snowed under road took. Nice, deep, heavy,wet snow, not bad to walk in. The road is not plowed far from the freeway so you get to the trail head by hoofin' it. No one had been above the summer trailhead since last week's big dump so we made our own trail. There are some large fir, cedar, and spruce along the way.Talapus Lake is sure real pretty in white, we stayed long enough for a little hot brandy. Most of the trip down we used a GPS unit to avoid the trail, road, and our footprints. The is something wonderfully sublime cuising down a steep slope in deep snow on the 'shoes. It is my favorite part of these trips. We were happy and giggling all the way down. The birds were singing to us. Go when you can!

Left trailhead at 750am. Only one other group on trail. A few inches of fluffy powder with a good boiler-plate base. Trail was in good shape, and we reached an open meadow that was well past the Ollalie Lake cutoff so we continued up to a ridge after ascending a wide open slope. We treaded very quickly as it was a potentially good avalanche slope, so we made it to the trees then jumped on the ridge just west of the West Granite summit near 4400 feet. It was real windy and the ridge was heavily corniced. We ate some food and headed down. Our tracks were completely gone on the way back, so we made our way towards the trees and got back just fine. For the next 1 hour we ran into at least 5 groups and about 25+ people! This trail is not to my liking as it is rather flat and traverses forever. I will find myself back here in the spring/summer though to do some overnighters. scott@nwog.org