Solo trip up Mt. Rose. There was about 18" of new snow. Had to don snowshoes just above Horse Camp and break trail all the way to the summit. I was still sinking in about a foot. Came down the same way, because I didn't feel like breaking more trail down the loop.

We made it to the summit but wouldn't have been able to without micro-spikes and snowshoes. Needed micro-spikes at 2000 feet and snowshoes at 3500 feet. Otherwise you would sink up to your hips in snow.

Cold! Snowy & Icy! But we had part sunshine on top and coming down; 3.5 hours up, 2.5 hours down. This is one of the steepest trails for sure, definitely one for trekking poles. Beautiful hemlock & cedar forest, salal & oregaon grape undergrowth. no one else on the trail, no other cars in the parking lot. Since it was the shortest day of the year, we got started by 8am. We took the shorter, last 1.1 mile both ways, instead of looping down the 1.6 mile alternative. The last mile was pretty much all snow and ice on the trail. If we hadn't had microspikes for our climbing approach shoes we probably would have turned back at that point. The sun came out as we reached the summit and what a spectacular view! I recommend this as a winter hike as long as you have the poles and shoe spikes for it.

Beautiful day for a summit hike to Mt Rose. Snow was hard packed and perfect for micro-spikes. Found snow at 3000 feet. No wind and brilliant blue sky.