Gold Creek Pond Snowshoe — Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024

Closed?! This area will be closed for restoration... Sometime in 2025, the only posted date seems to be March:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/okawen/?project=57415

If you need an alternate consider the Annette Lake trail (Snopark) or the Denny Creek area (flatter, other side of Annette Lake exit, also Snopark).  Annette Lake goes up to the iron horse trail, which is very flat, if you want some longer distance snowshoeing.

Gold creek today was... Wet.  Morning wet rain so the surface became slushy, but people were in boots midday and the road has not been groomed.  Boots were gone by Heli's pond, and only a ski track and single snowshoer prints past the gold Creek trail sign.  Thank you snowshoer for continuing a bit past the log crossing, I would not have made it as far without your footsteps. 

I continue approximately 2 miles past the log crossing.  The main Boulder Field was easier than in the past, but things are getting a bit slushy and soft so take your time. Additional Boulder fields required caution.  After the second log crossing the trail basically turned into a swamp, and you need a boat.  I was able to extend the trail a bit over a mile past the previous track, but with the coming winter storm it was time to turn around. 

Saw no one past Heli's, though a pair was heading that way as I was leaving.  Everyone else was before the gate at Gold Creek pond.

Pictures, pika, etc later.  8mi est.

More Information on this Trip Report

• http://hiking.blarfy.net/Pikae/pics20241229.html
• http://hiking.blarfy.net/Pikae/commentreference.html