The gate to Paradise opened a little after 9:30am and I headed up with the others who had been anxiously waiting in the parking lot at Longmire. I had to put on traction devices (auto socks) because I have FWD, the road was a mix of bare pavement and snow/ice.
The upper parking lot at Paradise was about half full when I arrived and I headed up with snowshoes on. I have not visited here much (crowds) and opted to go right along the Waterfall Trail towards Edith Creek and the Myrtle Falls Viewpoint. Again, the avalanche forecast was considerable, and I am still working on knee rehab so I didn't want anything too steep.
There were a couple folks ahead of me so I didn't have to break trail but the snow was deep and powdery, yes! A few skiers but most of us had snowshoes on.
I crossed over the marked bridge over Edith Creek and followed the Golden Gate Trail mostly up to a high point at about 5950 feet. Tahoma played peekaboo and the sun created moody shadows on the landscape. Those coming up behind me mostly turned left here and climbed up through the basin towards Glacier Vista and one guy looked to be attempting the Golden Gate Trail to hit the Skyline but turned back about half way up. Not sure if anyone was factoring in the avalanche forecast but I would not have attempted either route myself.
After eating a snack and taking in the views I slowly retraced my steps back down to the parking lot, stopping several times as Tahoma made an appearance. Overall, a wonderful time in the "touristy" section of the mountain.
PSA: if you do not have snowshoes and your steps are making deep holes where snowshoers and skiers have created a trail, the etiquette is to NOT continue making the holes. They are hazardous to those of us with snowshoes and skies. Sorry, you get to posthole in the unbroken snow or go back to compact snow.
Another PSA: please do not feed the birds. Even if your littles look cute with trail mix on their hands and birds swooping overhead. Leave No Trace, you can google it.
Comments