Glacier Vista Snowshoe, Nisqually Vista Loop — Sunday, Mar. 5, 2023

Snow along the sides of the road started before the Nisqually entrance-all 2WD cars had to chain up from there. The entire drive up to Paradise was a winter wonderland. I was already super happy with the trip. I hit Nisqually Vista first thing like I usally do. Weather was off in the distance so I wanted views first. I love this little trail. Some people were not sure if they were on the right trail. If you're coming from the main lot, just before the backup lot there is a trail to the right. Often there is a post with an orange sign that says "trail." You can go right through the trees and get a forest feel or go up and to the left and have the Tatoosh range in your face. They meet up in a few minutes. Before you know it, you're at the vista; a roped off section and the big fat view of the Nisqually and mountain will be your clue you made it. Turn around and see it all in reverse as this is not a loop right now. After a snack and change of socks-very much needed after a tiny miscalculation of how much space I had to kneel down to get a cool picture and landed in a couple feet of snow, I hit Skyline/Panorama Point/Glacier Vista...whatever. I went up up up with a bunch of people who did not have any gear at all. I got cranky. My bad. Set your expectations; people are going to tear up the path with tons of post holing, they are not going to yield, and they are going to sled. I got over being cranky (mostly...one guy was not nice), and loved that the weather turned and the second hike was all about gloomy skies and SNOW! I don't think I made it all the way to Glacier Vista. The chill was starting to set in with the blowing wet snow and the mountain was disappearing along with the Tattoosh Range. Happy winter hiking!