Excelsior Pass via Nooksack River — Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025

saw a total of 20 people today. snow free below 4000 ft elevation. waterfall was half frozen. as I progressed trail went from snow free to frost and intermittent glazed ice, but not long before it was fully snow covered. put my spikes on since trail was hard packed until the meadow then snowshoes would've been nice for the rest (did not carry based on research). I went counter clockwise for the summit. the uphill section is slightly shorter versus going left to the pass & following the ridgeline. gaiters helped as I was sinking a bit above ankle. got steep for the last 200 ft vertical, I would've probably removed snowshoes there and relied on post holes / crampons. the summit route sees nothing more than 30 deg and is not in the path of a potential avalanche. ice axe can be useful, poles, the same, for self arrest. a few snowmobile tracks actually went within wilderness boundary. I descended following the ridgeline to the pass, that above ankle deep snow made for easy plunge even without snowshoes.