It doesn't look like the end of December out there. The pictures tell the story of low snow levels. The snowshoeing is still great. The ranger at Longmire said the poles aren't up on Nisqually Vista yet, but there is a set snowshoe path starting at the main lot on the Avalanche Lily trail. When you hit the first fork in the path, you go left. Going right/straight takes you toward the Waterfalls trail and Deadhorse Creek trail. The next fork in the path is the loop. I went clockwise (left), which was a forest trek. You end up walking up to the vista where the logs are still visible. Then you keep going and hit three more viewpoints.
Typically, this isn't a loop in the winter and there is not a clockwise option. You go straight, eventually winding left. It's a there and back trail. I'm not sure how the rangers will set the poles (maybe by Friday). I enjoy the winter route much better because you have more all around views. You get the Tatoosh Range and Rainier and the forest.
More snow please.
Note on the road and lots: Today there was compact snow and ice from just before Longmire all the way to Paradise. 2-wheel drive had to chain up (I think at Longmire). Taking it slow, my Subaru Crosstrek did fine. One slip-n-slide moment near Longmire. The lower elevations seemed icier. With all the melting today from the warm temps, I imagine it will be an icy drive in the morning. The lots were icy in the morning and slushy in the afternoon. It gets dark in the forest on the lower half of the drive by 3pm.
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