Cutthroat Lakes via Walt Bailey Trail — Saturday, Apr. 13, 2024

My hiking partner and I tried to go backpacking up this trail but had to turn around. The road getting up to the trail is rough and rocky. There are deep potholes and downed trees. There are a few snow banks to cross about 50 feet long, but nothing too bad. We just hit them with some speed and made it through. As for the trail however it is totally covered with deep snow. We made it about 1 mile up the trail where there is a creek about 1ft deep and 5ft wide with about 4-5ft of snow on either side. My partner and I threw our packs to the other side. I jumped over first and made it, but my partner fell in as he started to jump. After that we had to turn around and bail out. We ended up camping nearby. I would not attempt this trail without snow shoes, tall boots, and a lot of determination.