We made it to the summit of Mount Rose! The snow was a bit deeper then it was the week before. We donned snowshoes at about 3,500 feet. Route finding on the ridge was a bit tricky but we packed down the snow for the next hikers. Snow starts about 1/2 mile past horse camp. We opted to take the longer route both up and down. More details on my blog http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/2010/02/mount-rose-summit-in-winter.html

The snow did not start until 3,500 feet so I thought I had a good chance of reaching the summit but the snow on the ridge was deep and dodgy with possible tree wells everywhere. I turned back at 4,100 feet after I sunk to my thighs and had trouble pulling myself out. There is one blow down about 1/4 to 1/2 mile past the horse camp on the trail that goes to the right. The first bridge in that area also is getting a bit scary, so I chose to pebble hop across the creek. More pictures on my blog http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/2010/02/mount-rose.html

Snow free until 1/5 mile above the horse camp. Snow steadly increases until the top. Not many people have gone up, trail was marked by orange flags but the snow was firm and did not require snow shoes, crampon's would have been nice in a few places but not required. There was fresh snow in the trees from the previous night which was still settling to the ground here and there. Not the clearest day with the high clouds but you could see Mt. Ellinor and Washingotn. As a note, with the snow line where it is I suspect the supper trail head for Mt. Ellinor and Jefferson Pass is still accessible by 4x4.

Bring it on mother nature! Mount Rose flushed herself clean today! The creeks were swollen and larger than I have ever seen. The view? There was none! The summit was really windy. I saw a few tiny flecks of snow mixed in with the rain. Lower down on the trail I saw some hail. A few fall mushrooms are out, mostly the types that grow on trees. I picked one. A loud bolt of thunder cracked and I screamed with glee, but it frightened my poor doggie. I had a great hike, I only had to share the trail with my dog. I enjoyed watching the tourists in their RV's flee Staircase for the winter. Go home! Don't come back next year! Soon the gate will close and I'll only have to share Staircase with snowplows. I took a lot of picture on the way down but most of my pictures are blurry from water on my lens. Thanks to the Mount Rose Trail Crew. The trail is in superb condition as always. Stay off it, it is too tough for the average person to do as a day hike. All the boring details and pictures are on my blog: http://mosswalks.blogspot.com/2009/09/mount-rose-and-john-trudell-i-want-to.html

Originally I was going to hike a trail at Mt Rainier but I got lazy and decided something closer to home, so Mt Rose was chosen for a nice Sunday walk. Due to the drizzle got to the TH at 10:00 at which time it was beginning to clear. There were only three cars at the TH parking lot. The trail is in relative good shape even with the recent wildfire. You could still smell the burnt timber. The wildfire did not keep some of the wild flowers from blooming though. Strangely encountered no bugs. Later in the morning I did hear mosquitoes revving up their engines but could not tell which way they were headed. Maybe down to the lake shore on a scrapping run. The views at the summit were blocked by low hanging clouds which but an occasional peek-a-boo glimpse did appear.