We set off from the trailhead, which is currently just a plowed area near the RR tracks at Scenic along with 3 other parties who said they were headed to Surprise Lake and a parked truck. Snowshoe down the old road to the trailhead, which follows under the powerlines to the right and then left to the trail.
At first the trail was well packed down with a combination of ski and snowshoe tracks. After the Surprise creek crossing area (3 options looked ok at the time) the track eventually became just us and a set of ski tracks. We continued up along the creek, keeping the creek to our right, at times following ski tracks and reached the beautiful lake in about 3.5 hours. We never saw the other parties from the trailhead after passing the ones who left before us. There were lots of tracks in the creek basin and it could be easy to get off-route if you don't know the topography you need to follow. We stayed in trees the whole time and avoided any paths heading up to the ski slopes (this is where the avalanche danger is). However, the valley is narrow and if avalanche activity was extreme it's possible that it would wipe out the center tree area so I wouldn't come here in those conditions. Avalanche risk was moderate and only for specific wind-loaded terrain so our path through the trees was quite safe this weekend.
We set up camp on the lakeshore with a view of Slippery Slab tower, Thunder and Surprise to enjoy the lovely sunset. The pair of skiiers who made the tracks skiied past us, right across the center of the lake. We have a portable weather station and measured that it was 7f around 8pm. Bands of clouds passed throughout the night and the moon beamed. There was at least 5 feet of snow at the lake. Even after tamping down our campsite well I postholed when I took off my snowshoes until we really flattened it out, heh.
I took a jaunt around the lake in the morning while it was still very cold. I was on the lake, but close to the shore and as I mentioned, it was really really cold and has been for quite a while. I doubt it's been above freezing here for at least a month and probably two. I mention this because I don't want someone to assume my tracks being there means that this route is safe in all conditions. It won't be. At the inlet stream I could see some open water so I gave that area wide berth on top of the rocks.
We saw at least 7 parties on our way out today. The trail should be a highway now :)
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