The Methow Valley is transitioning from late winter to early mud season. With low overnight temperatures, the ground freezes and by mid-morning is starting to melt. By afternoon, trails and dirt parking lots become variations on mud pits with depths from less than an inch to more than 5 inches.
My short hike to Aspen Lake from Elbow Coulee Rd began at 12PM with a short section of mud and standing water. The climb to the first gate had many more sections of very soft trail and mud. Once past the first gate, there was a periodic ribbon of snow covering the muddy trail. Eventually, the snow was gone and the mud subsided. The rest of the hike on Frost Rd to the access road to Aspen Lake was good with a few soft spots.
The access road to Aspen Lake was pretty good, until reaching the shaded area, where it was a mix of snow, hard & soft mud, and one large log over the trail. After getting around the log and continuing the climb, the forecast wind gusts were whistling through the trees, making it somewhat cold.
I reached the lake and took a break to start lunch. While there, the gusty winds continued while I stayed downwind of a large brush windbreak. A couple came down the trail and we talked for a bit. They had come in Frost Road and had gone over the 3578 high point and then down the trail to the lake. They commented it was really cold on the ridge with the winds. With that information, I decided to head back and wait for the spring flowers before trying this again.
About 0.1mi from the lake is an unmarked junction with a trail that takes off to the right (NE). It traverses around the end of the ridge and descends next to a small gulley to Frost Rd. I decided to go that way. There were three trees over the trail that required going around or carefully stepping over. Once back at Frost Rd I turned left and it was an easy, partially muddy hike back to the car.
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