This is the second time I did this hike this winter,and like before, I brought snowshoes. There was a lot less snow since Novenber 26, but the snow was a lot more frozen and firm. We used our snowshoes after the ponds at 3600 feet for the traction, but microspikes would have been better because the snow was very slippery. We reached the summit before noon, and were visited by some birds who stole some of our lunch. The views were, as always, amazing. We could see Mt. Rainer clearly, as well as the Olympics and the surrounding Cascade peaks. On the way down, my companion slipped and fell and slid into a stump. Because of the ice, an ice-axe would have been beneficial. It started raining when we reached our car, but overall, it was an enjoyable outing.

What a great mountain, even on the 20th of December. I was looking for a hike today and happened upon the unmarked trail to Mt WA (now that I read the directions above, that will get you exactly to the right trail). I was fully prepared for a nice climb today and was getting a little to used to the usuals (Mailbox, McClellan, Bandera, Granite and Si). This was a great long climb on a very overcast and foggy (a little rain) day. Key gear today was MICROspikes, Poles, toe heaters in my boots, and a warm Hoodie. I always carry too much to make sure I am ready for the problems that may arise for me or another party. I kept to my light leather gloves today (only one pair). This is a fun mountain, with the overcast day, I kept thinking I was topping out for that last hour...3 1/2 hours up, and almost 2 hours down. Lots of snow in the top half and the path is a bit unclear in places. The weather today was weird, cold below, rain at the middle and cold cold with wind at the top thousand feet. I enjoyed the day and plan to return to Mt WA again...it was a fun solo day.

Mt. Washington is as beautiful as ever, now that its upper realms are home to over a meter of snow. M. and I took the winter route up to the summit, and were fortunate enough to have dry weather and some views until we got near the top, when it started snowing. The current conditions are: wet and slightly slippery trail for the first mile, and patches of snow for the second. From the Owl Lookout, the snow deepens, although you don't need snowshoes. There are a lot of water features in the half mile or so from the lookout to the major creek crossing. At that point, you head uphill and the snow gets pretty deep, and snowshoes would still be optional since the snow provides pretty good traction here. Once you get to the ponds, snowshoes become almost necessary. We took the slightly steeper and shorter winter route to the west, but plenty of people were taking the summer route...the trail is very obvious the whole way (although it's been snowing). The winter route has a couple of very steep parts that aren't easy, but they're short. Eventually, you connect up with the summer route, then it's no more than half a mile to the top. This is a fantastic hike at different times of year, and in addition to the summer and winter routes, you can go the back way around Change Peak, although that trail is probably hard to follow right now (see my trip report from earlier this year for details). Mt. Washington is peaceful since it's not as popular as other nearby hikes, but it's very accessible, being just off of I-90. Directions: from Seattle, take exit 38 on I-90, turn right at the bottom, immediately cross over a small bridge and turn right into the parking lot. The trail head is clearly marked with two large rocks. Climb up a steep, short path to reach a road, and climb up that a short distance to connect with the John Wayne Trail. Continue west about two minutes until you see a trail heading off to the left...this is easy to miss: it's flanked by two small trees and descends a couple of steps from the trail initially. The Mt. WA trail starts climbing immediately. After about 1.5 miles, there's a fork...follow the small sign and stay right for Mt. Washington. After about 2 (total) miles, you're at the Owl Lookout. After another half mile or so, the Change Peak trail splits off to the left...this is clearly marked. A little further on and you'll cross the big creek. After another 15 minutes or so, you enter a meadow/valley with several very wet creek crossings, then climb another 10 minutes to the ponds. Here's where you can elect to go left (east) to follow the summer route, or right to take the winter route. Hiking at a decent pace with only a few short breaks, it took us just shy of 3 hours to go up, and just shy of 2 to descend the same way. The snow gave way to freezing rain for the last 20 or 30 minutes, but otherwise it was gorgeous.

Mount Washington is a snow playground right now with snow right at the parking lot. Four of us started out at the leisurely time of 9 something which gave plenty of time for lots of other people to punch in the trail for us. We donned snow shoes at the Owl Lookout spot although they were not really needed for a while. No one had gone up the secondary trail towards the Great Wall from the flat area before the creek crossing. By the time we got to the next major junctions (new trail vs old scramble route) near the holding pond, we caught up to people that were not using snow shoes. They looked really tired by that point with the tell tale signs of postholing along the trail. Last year I had gone up this trail without snow shoes while Jim had them. I was asked several times today if I was happy that I had them today - yes, I was quite happy to have them today. At the next junction where the new trail and old scramble route re-connect, we started to run into people we knew: David and Tish, Bill and Sheryl, Linda. Many times this next section across some steep side hills can be icy and down sloping. Today, it was in the best shape I have ever seen thanks to all the folks that preceded us and punched in a very nice trail. As we neared the summit, we were informed that the sun had been out and it had been nice and warm up there. We did have limited views down towards Chester Morse Lake and north towards I90 but the skies never really cleared for us. We tagged the top and descended a short ways for a nice but brisk lunch. Today, the entire snow shoe route follows the trail. Sometimes, especially near the top, the snow route follows a very steep and direct route to the summit. I was happier with the trail route today.

Hoping to get in a hike and some kind of a workout today so decided on Mt Washington; trailhead was easily accessible and we would go as far as time and conditions allowed. Arrived at the trailhead about 8:30A, we were the first car. Was raining lightly but no worries, that is what gortex is for. Note: the actual Mt Washington trail begins about 50 yds west of the dog leash sign on the Iron Horse trail. There was a dusting of snow for about the first mile and then at about 2000' got up to about 2" deep, was very slushy and slippery, good boots and poles were adequate; however, just made for slow going. We had rain, wind, hail and snow, little of everything this day. Unfortunately, we did have a time limit and turned around at Owl Spot at about 2 miles in. Oh well, was nice to get out!