Started at the Mission Ridge gate trailhead, group of 5, about 8:30am. Trail had new snow, packed but not too slippery. Trekking poles were the key for the day going up and returning. Was able to snowshoe around Marion for fun, but boots were all that was required up to and from Clara back down to trailhead...even when light snow started. The wind wasn't much, but once out of the treeline, it cut through any openings in the layers. Great hike for a few hours with friends.

Multiple trees windblown or uprooted by heavy snow on their tops remain leaning against others but may create obstacles come spring. Keep your ears open for shifting or bark scraping.

A short steep hike to a small pond. The western larches are at peak color so it's a great quick hike right now but there is compact snow & ice on a majority of the trail making it quite slick. Bring shoes with good tread! 

This was our first time seeing larches and we loved them! We could see them from the road and parking lot as well. There was a bit of snow on the trail, but it wasn’t slippery this afternoon. The larches are just beautiful and some are already dropping needles, so I think it’s the perfect time to do this hike. 

Really nice afternoon for this hike, the smoke cleared enough today, and all the larches are beginning to turn! It was popular today, but still not so many people as to feel crowded. Trees around Lake Clara were gorgeous. Lake Marion is mostly dried up, but still very impressive rocky backdrop. Starts from the mission ridge parking lot, very clear signage.

Haven’t seen any trail reports this fall so I decided to go check out the larches. There wasn’t really much which was disappointing. Give it another week or two and they should be popping. Fall colors were out and pretty. Overall, short and easy hike. Round trip was 3.6 miles and 1000 feet elevation gain. Parking is at Mission Ridge.