Golden Gate, Edith Creek Basin Snowshoe — Saturday, Jul. 9, 2022

I hadn't planned to hit Paradise, too much snow, but the mountain truly was calling. I arrived at the Jackson Visitor Center at 7:45 on a beautiful Saturday morning. There was still parking in the main lot and a lot of parking in the back up lot. After talking to a ranger I chose the Edith Creek Basin Route. That early, it was still icy. I donned my spikes on my trailrunners and baskets on my poles. I followed the orange poles to the bridge over Myrtle Falls. The falls lookout is not accessible right now and the trail to the bridge is steep and slippery (this is the preferred route for visitors). Once the poles ended, I shifted left to the Golden Gate trail. I've been on it so many times, but never on the snow. I saw a couple marmots. I could see the Alta Vista waterfall and hear a lot of water running under the snow. I steered clear of the valley. I made it half way up Golden Gate before I turned around. The sun was blazing and the steep slopes whispered threats of avalanches (along with the ranger who did not whisper the threat). In the short time it took to make it a mile and a half, the snow was already super slushy. I was sliding and sinking in. The views were outstanding. The mountain was wagging its tail and totally showing off this morning. I said a big thank you and happily got off the snow. In the patches of melted snow, wildflowers are starting to bloom. I'll try again in a couple weeks. For now, it's not super fun on that kind of snow at this time of year. Stay safe, bring poles and the right gear.