Columbia Mountain — Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022

The parking lot for Kettle Crest Trail and Columbia Mt is closed for a couple weeks.  I parked on the pullout off the highway.  Temps were low 30s on the drive up to Sherman Pass with one frosty/icy patch in the shade.  At 9:40 am the trail was high 50s temp.  The larches are not full yellow, only dimly yellow.  There were some yellow aspens and cottonwoods, but disappointing overall for larches.  You can see how the display would be gorgeous against the forest of green.  Saw one cyclist and one other group of hikers on my way back down.  Saw possible pileated woodpecker, dark eyed junco, golden crown kinglets, mountain chickadees, nuthatches.