The forecast drove us back to the mountains for possibly the last day of sun. And while we left Seattle with some high clouds that got cloudier as we headed up to Snoqualmie, ultimately by the Alpental parking lot, it was blue sky and sunshine. We were going for the ridge above Snow Lake. There is packed snow from the trailhead all the way. Not as icy as Mt Si can be so the footing was good and NO snowshoes were needed. At the junction to the Source Lake overlook and the newer Snow Lake Trail we started up the switchback. But it was quite slick and occasionally leaning the wrong way and too well-packed. It also pretty much petered out - it is NOT a good winter route. Back down the switchback to the Source Lake Overlook. We did head partway up toward the ridge at the head of the valley above Source Lake. Ate lunch and then circled above Source Lake and took a ski/snowshoe beaten route back on the ""south"" side of the creek all the way to the upper parking lot. All this and walking our own trail above Source Lake did not require snowshoes. For those reading, that loop of Source Lake should not normally be attempted as the slopes are very prone to avalanches - actually, the Snow Lake Trail normally also is subject to slides, too. This low snowpack changes things. The more ""normal"" winter route is the way we came back altho, there, too, can be slide areas. And for those who need to know, at the end we met a guy who climbed Snoqualmie Mt today. He said the wind was ferocious and he used CRAMPONS as soon as he left the parking lot. We need new snow says ""Just a hiker/Just a skier/Just a snowshoer""

Christmas eve was the perfect time for the first snowshoe outing of the year. The snow was about two feet deep at the Alpental parking lot, and I almost decided to leave the snowshoes in the car and just use Stabilicers and gaiters. I brought the shoes along since I remembered that up the valley the snow is always deeper and softer. I stayed to the right and travelled along the stream up to the wonderful cascading waterfalls. I then worked my way up to the top of the falls for some additional great views. From there I contoured over to the base of the cliffs and the route up to Source Lake. It was along this stretch of virgin snow woods walking that I realised that I needed the snowshoes. Putting them on while post-holing was a challenge, but they allowed me to go where I wanted without following any paths. They turned out to be essential for exploring, but other people made it to the lake with just boots and no poles by following the many paths in the snow. My dog Daisy had a blast, porpoising and gallumphing through the snow, sometimes disappearing completely for several seconds. The fact that it was actually snowing the whole time made it feel very Christmassy. As I am writing this, two large trees have just fallen onto my next-door-neighbor's house, causing only minor damage and the power to flicker. I better submit this report before it goes out!

Made for an early start on Valentines day to try and summit the NE Buttress route of Chair Peak out in Snoqualmie Pass. Left the trailhead at around 7am and reached Source Lake quite quickly on the Upper Alpental parking lot route. Good snow, with some other snowshoe tracks that kept us on the right path to get in the basin right below Chair Peak. Once we were near the base of the East Face, we headed right just after the ""Thumbtack"" and up a steep pass that gains the ridge that runs to the base of Chair Peaks NE Buttress. There was a large soft Bergscrund that halted us at first, so we went to check out the North Face and it was the same thing. 60-70 degree snow and ice that was pretty thin, along with the sparce areas to place pro. I called it above my head, with lack of experience of my new ice tools, so we headed back down the trail in search of waterfall ice and found some not too far out of the basin. It was an incredibly beatifully day with blue skies and spring like conditions in the upper basin (short sleeve t-shirt). Images and more to be posted at www.nwog.org in the next few days. Thanks scott@nwog.org

A friend and I took the day off from work and went for a shoeing experience.The weather could not have been better!We arrived at the parking lot and got underway by 10 am.The trail is easy to follow and is more like a road than a trail for the first half mile.As you start to gain elevation hug the left side of the valley and climb the trail to the lake.There was fresh snow up there and was beautiful.We made our way around the lake and had lunch in the sun all the while being entertained by the masses of back country skiers and boarders coming down the mountain on the other side of the valley.When it is time to return to civilization I recommend taking the Snow Lake trail. You will be able to avoid the crowd and won't need to worry about being run over by a snow board.By taking this trail down you will come out by the ski lifts and walk the road back to your vehicle.P.S. There were signs of fresh avalanches on the ridge between Source and Snow Lakes!Be carful and good hiking!

My favorite hiking partner and I started the New Year by skipping the champagne and taking a beautiful snowshoe trip to, and above ,Source Lake early New Years Day. The trip is easy and so that means LOTS of people. The good news is that most of folks that do this trip don't begin until noon or later. So get there early and try to enjoy some sort of solitude. The climb to the saddle above and between Source and Snow Lake is very steep and difficult. Don,t bring Fido or the out of towners on this part. When we reached the top it was a different environment there. The wind was really blowing and goggles were needed. Check avalanche conditions before attempting this climb! The trip back to the parking lot was quick despite having to dodge the mass of humanity enjoying the first day of 2002. Peace,love,and good hiking to all in this New Year!