Quick note before report- I left a pair of MSR snowshoes on the road before it becomes impassable. They are gray with a red crampon, if anyone finds them please contact me- worgenftw@gmail.com.
If you're headed out here, you can get to the trailhead even though you can't get down the road due to ice and snow from the plows. We parked on the other side of the tracks and headed down the road to find the trailhead. When we went the road was completely flooded out, but that was probably just due to the pouring rain, regardless due to creek crossings and snow coverage, you need waterproof gear and snow shoes.
We went out trying to find a trail to snowshoe and hoping that it would be snowing up in the pass. We were disappointed to find that it was still raining, pouring in fact. However, the trail (and the road up to it past where the plow stops) were completely snow covered and we really wanted to go, so we put on our waterproof gear and went. The trail was easy to find and very easy to follow as the last couple hikers' footprints were still visible and they had packed the snow down some. We didn't get very far before we put on our snow shoes. Some poor guy went at some point without a pair, there were postholes most of the way to the creek before it seems he turned around. The snow was deep which made the bridges and small stream crossings difficult. Most of the streams we were able to jump or cross with the aid of poles, a couple we just walked through. There was one though that we walked upstream a bit to find a better place to cross because the log crossing was dangerous with as much snow as there was on top of it.
Not long after that detour from the trail we came to Surprise Creek. It looked more like a river due to all the rain lately. We walked upstream to try to find a good place to cross, but none of the logs looked good enough to risk it so we turned around. It was quite the adventure with a couple close calls but it was a great hike.
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