Decided to take a hike for my Bday with the Dog and let him play in the snow so off to Mt. Rose we went. Pretty day on Friday and it was warmer. Lake Cushman was gorgous. As described earlier the trail is steep. Snow starts at about 2800ft and the trail is covered by the split at 3000 ft. Previous hikers took the 1.1 mile route and the other loop did not have a path broken. The snow was melting and hard packed were the previous hikers had gone and was fairly easy to follow until about a half mile from the peak were all signs of the trail vanished including the orange tape markers for the trail. I can only assume they were buried because there is a ton of snow up there! I decided this was the end of the line for me and headed back down.

There's some snow on the upper reaches of the trail, but not enough to be an issue, except making the rocks and roots slicker than usual. Even gaiters were overkill this weekend. Otherwise, trail's in great shape. Not even much mud.

We started seeing light snow just past the Y. By the time we got to the summit it was a foot deep in spots.

No snow yet on Rose. I'm back but I'm using this log in name now because I can't retrieve my old one and I was not getting proper credit for my photos. I love having my photos used, but not without proper credit.. :( WTA if you use my photos please give credit to Shawnie Whelan and not to a nick name. Ah I see now that the WTA is asking for photo credits in the upload box. That is indeed an improvement. I took my time enjoying the fine weather the fall colors and the mushrooms. There is a light dusting of snow on Ellinor-Washington-Pershing. I can never tell what part of that lump I am looking at from rose. The snow up there should not be enough to stop anyone from going up. I could hear nothing but the roar of dry creek from up there. As usual the trail is in impeccable condition thanks so my heroes on the Mount Rose trail crew. http://mosswalks.blogspot.com for more photos and descriptions

A fun run/walk up and down. Going up there is a pretty steep split in the trail that will also take you to the real split in the trail - one way is 1.1 mi to the summit of Mt Rose and the other is 1.6mi to the summit of Mt Rose big signs on big trees). Basically, just keep going up and you'll get to the summit but both splits offer a decent amount of varied terrain. Trail is in EXCELLENT condition and really pretty w/big trees. Summit view is great looking south but obscured looking north. Can see Mt Rainier, Lk Cushman, and to the west easily.