Big Creek — Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022

Arrived around 10:00am and managed a get a spot along the road across from the campground entrance.  There was enough room for about eight or nine cars to park and stay off the road.  The campground area was covered with snow.  This was the first time hiking the Big Creek Loop and we missed the "start" of the trail by the shelter but found the trail near the tent camping area.  As a result we ended up hiking the loop counter clockwise.  For the first half mile or so the trail snow only covered part of the trail and some downed trees and branches.  For the next mile the debris on the trail is pretty consistent.  You will find yourself climbing over logs and through branches for a fair amount of the hike.  As you get further along the snow gets deeper and covers the whole trail.  I had micro spikes with me but never put them on, poles were helpful but not necessary. My son did the whole hike without spikes or poles, with had a dog on a leash pulling him along and managed to stay upright.  Most of the bridges had about a foot or so of compacted snow/ice on them but weren't difficult to cross with the handrails.  A couple of them had been hit with falling trees but seemed to be solid.  The middle section of the trail was snow covered but less downed trees.  After the halfway point, beyond the Mt. Elinor trail junction the trails becomes a little bit of an obstacle course with all the downed trees.  Nothing was impassable but anyone considering this hike needs to be aware that you will be climbing under, over and around trees.  There were a few times when I broke through the snow past my knee while navigating around the downed trees.  For the last 3/4's of a mile (or first, if you are going clockwise) was pretty much snow free without much debris on the trail. Even with the obstacles it was great to get out into the woods.  There were a couple of people that turned around after hearing about the trail conditions and another group that were hiking sneakers.  I imagine their feet were cold and wet pretty early on.  The hike is doable just be ready to do some log climbing.