Day Hike/Snowshoe to Church Mountain. Didn't make it all the way to the peak due to deep snow, so only about 7mi and 2700ft gain.
TL;DR:
The trail is completely snow covered. Wore micro spikes for first 2 miles, then snow got deep enough to put on snowshoes and got really deep once you hit the meadow. We made first tracks, but getting over the final ridge to the summit would require a bit more navigation expertise and experience. A summit would be doable, but the snow was slick and deep. Otherwise easy to follow, and a few little water crossings.
Road Conditions: Paved and plowed all the way until you turn onto the FSR up to the trailhead. The road to the TH is completely snow covered and icy! There's also the big hump that then dips into the creek crossing, which was almost completely iced over. My Subaru Forester Wilderness was a champ and handled the terrain fine, but would definitely want something with AWD/4WD, and good traction tires. Coming down the ice was more noticeable then going up. Also, one pit toilet at TH, but not well stocked with TP, so be sure to bring some with you.
Trail Conditions:
As mentioned above, trail is in good shape but just snow covered, so you will need snow gear to travel up (spikes or snowshoes). The trail in the trees is very easy to follow, and becomes a little more navigation once you hit the open meadow. There's a couple small little streams, and a few branches and such but no major blowdowns or obstacles on trail.
Animals/Bugs: No bugs, no animals, but what looked like deer and hare tracks in the snow. Also no people.
Water sources: There are a few flowing streams still that you could collect, but would recommend just packing enough water for the trip out and back. Note, my hydro pack tube would freeze/slush a bit with the below freezing temps, but if you drink frequently enough it was fine.
Other: There was some snow mobile tracks in the meadow, but otherwise not much sign of others on the trail, and we were the only car at the TH and on the trail. Clear day provided views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan as well as surrounding ridges while in the basin.
Happy Snow Hiking!
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