Mt Hale and Zealand Rd

Sat, 4/5. Skied in from the Zealand parking lot via the Spruce Goose trail. Snow was getting very soft even by 9am. Back country skis fell through a few times as I approached the Mt Hale Trail intersection. Hike up Hale required snowshoes. Super sketch section where snowdrifts covered up the benchcut and made a dangerous 45-60 degree South facing angle above the canyon below. Had to cut in and traverse sideways for several hundred yards. Used shortened trekking poles like ice axes. Much easier on return when snow/ice was softer and could kick in deeper for better footing. Rest of the ascent and descent was pleasant. Challenging conditions on Sat morning, trail in good shape except for that one section. Skied back to car along Zealand Rd. Barely any snow left on it now though. This weekend might be last time to ski in via this route to Zealand Hut.