Totally gorgeous time to be hiking to Summit Lake! Fairly cold day with a good amount of snow. Snow started on the road about a mile before the parking lot and the whole hiking trial was covered. Got deeper as you ascended but there was never a real need for either microspikes or snowshoes on the trail proper - the snow was an amazing traction-y & soft texture. The trail circling the lake was snowed in however, snowshoes would be beneficial if you wanted to break trail there.
Got snowed on the whole trip down from the lake. A small-to-medium amount of sliding in the car while leaving the trailhead, with the fresh snow and winter conditions this past weekend I'd be cautious about getting stuck up there- winter tires/chains/tow rope as backups are probably a good idea.
The actual trail was beyond gorgeous! Trail to Bearhead looked like only 1-2 pairs of boots had broken it in when we passed.
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