Poo Poo Point - Chirico Trail — Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

Just a quick report so you have an idea of conditions on this popular hike.  The lower trail is snow free but there was some compact ice/mud around some of the steps.  Intermittent compact snow/ice/mud started around the half way point, but later with the rising temps that rose to the upper third on the way back down.  A good 2 inches of still fluffy stuff at both the south and north areas with a nice snowy trail through that last upper section of forest.  I put on spikes about a third of the way from the top and took them off about half way down, about 50% of folks were wearing spikes at this point.  If you go left at the trail split right before the final ascent to the south launch area then you will need to bend quite a ways down to get under some low vine maple branches.  After enjoying the view at the north launch area I took the service road back to the south which gives some warm sunny exposure before you reenter the forest.  As this is a mostly south facing trail it was quite pleasant on the way back down apart from some ice bombs from the trees.  The lion at the gate looked really cold with frost and snow when I passed him on the way up.

Notes:  The parking lot had a nasty odor when I arrived (maybe from the Cedar Grove compost facility?).  Porta-potties just OK.  Still lots of parking both mid morning and when I returned early afternoon.