The last report sums it up so I’ll be brief. Road to lower trailhead is clear. 1-2 spots of snow and some gnarly potholes in middle of roadway towards upper trailhead but tracks are gravel the whole way, upper trailhead has no snow. Intermittent snow/ice on trail starting at the first lookout but more often than not it was bare trail till the staircase. I probably should’ve put on my micro spikes at the first lookout or summer:winter Y but I toughed it out until the staircase. From the top of the staircase, where it was really slick, it was even intermittent bare trail up to the last push to the summit where you definitely want to have some sort of traction device. On the way down I decided to trek up the winter route to see how much snow was on the chute. There was no visible snow on the chute.
Washington Trails
Association
Trails for everyone, forever
Comments
Soundmirror on Mount Ellinor
Thanks for the report. In your opinion, is the hike harder/does it take longer with the snow on the trail? I’m trying to gauge how long this might take me to finish. Thanks.
Posted by:
Soundmirror on Dec 21, 2023 10:11 AM
Ryan965 on Mount Ellinor
Predicting timing with Ellinor is difficult during the winter as the conditions change so much. Some others could chime in but it’s about 4 hours up and down from the upper trailhead if there is just some ice to deal with. If there is snow like it’s supposed to Friday and the trail isn’t broken yet it can take a lot longer. If the temperature gets colder and it starts snowing regularly, you may have to park a couple miles below the lower trailhead and snowshoe the whole way. There isn’t nearly enough snow to do the winter chute right now, but that usually takes me a little longer than the summer route. During the summer, it takes me about an hour and a half up and 40 minutes back down. As of yesterday, micro spikes and some hiking poles are all that’s needed, after it snows Friday the conditions will change, but it’s such a well traveled trail that somebody usually gets up there early and breaks trail so no snowshoes are likely needed until the temperatures get lower and it starts snowing regularly. And for those thinking of walking over to the winter chute from the top and taking a peek, check out this article from last weekend: https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-hiker-survives-1200-foot-fall-mt-ellinor-olympic-national-forest-navy
Posted by:
Ryan965 on Dec 21, 2023 05:07 PM
Ryan965 on Mount Ellinor
https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/whidbey-sar-rescues-hiker-on-mount-ellinor/
Posted by:
Ryan965 on Dec 21, 2023 05:19 PM
Soundmirror on Mount Ellinor
Thanks so much for the info! Wow, a 1200 ft. fall! Amazing the person survived. I think I might avoid this one and wait till next summer. I do this hike regularly with my three year old, but I think we will avoid it for now.😁
Posted by:
Soundmirror on Dec 22, 2023 08:20 PM