Dirty Face Ridge — Saturday, Apr. 20, 2024

I arrived early at the trailhead - I wanted to beat the incoming wind & was interested in getting sunrise pics…so 4:45am = empty parking lot. It was also not quite early enough for me to be at the peak, but I was on the ridgline so got a few captures. Trail is in great condition (steep as described) with increasing snow coverage around 5000ft elevation. The patches are intermittent (but can be extensive with decent side slopes) I’m really glad I had both poles & microspikes. It was quite cold & blustery so the snow had a firm surface & is rather consolidated- but minimal other foot traffic on this side of my Townsend. The winds gusts along the ridge line & at the peak were really impressive (brace yourself moments). Pretty awesome views & vistas both along the trail (increasingly so on the last two miles & in many directions) & at the top (mt Townsend never disappoints when the clouds aren’t there) - easy to see rainier & baker (but they were a little hazy). I’m looking forward to exploring the other routes to the top.