Absolutaly stunning day!
The avalanche forecast was low to moderate, and my husband wanted to check out Source Lake for some ski touring so we took advantage of the last clear day before the weather moves in tomorrow.
Got to the upper parking lot about 8.45, there were about 7 cars there. We headed out on the groomed ski run. I carried my snowshoes, and could easily have hikes the whole route in them, but opted for my microspikes on winter mountaineering boots.
You follow the track (stay right to allow skiers to pass) go past the water tower on the right. Follow the signs for "uphill travel" for the skiers, until the end of the groomed track. From here there is a well tracked path in the snow. It's packed enough to walk and not sink, but anything off to the side would result in postholing (I am not using snowshoes as my knee is recovering from an injury but if I had to choice, snow shoes would be the best tool to use). You can follow the track winding through the trees, along the creek which is beautiful, frozen and with large pillows of snow. You reach the ascent to cross the open area (the bench) there is a decent but narrow track ascending across the slope (2 skis wide). Then from there follow one of the tracks through the snow to the lake. Easy route finding nd stunning scenery!
There is avalanche debris on some of the slopes around the lake. Today the conditions were perfect though! 2 hours up and down with about 20 minutes up at the lake.
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