One last trek in the park before heading home! I had saved this one for today as the gate would be closed to Paradise and there was supposed to be snow overnight that might make snowshoes an option. Previous trip reports said the trail was compact snow and that was still the case this morning.
It was lightly snowing when I entered the park and no one was parked at the trailhead around 9:45am. I opted to just wear trail runners and gaiters with poles. Be warned, the sketchiest section is that boardwalk at the beginning. Don't let your guard down like I did. Thankfully no one was there to see me...
It was a lovely walk in the woods with the occasional peak out across Kautz Creek towards TumTum Peak and Peak 4399. I guess if you really wanted to snowshoe you could, there is enough snow along the beaten path.
Based on previous trip reports I anticipated being stopped above where the trail drops down to the bridge but it really wasn't a problem to navigate. Full disclosure, someone had done it ahead of me, probably yesterday. But if you go over about 6 feet from where the trail comes out, it is possible to step under a tree and hold onto a log to take 3-4 steps down.
I postholed a little but the gaiters did their job. After the bridge it would be more postholing and a climb towards Peak 4399 so I just enjoyed the solitude for awhile. The snow picked up as I made my way back, the road was covered as I got back in my car around 11am. The trip was about 2.4 miles.
I had planned to also walk the Westside Road but with so little new snow, snow coming down more aggressively and a desire to make it north on 405 before traffic picked up, I decided to head home. All in all, a great long weekend in the park.
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