Hough via Lillian Brook 1/1/09

The trail breaking gods were smiling down on us today with a well packed trail from the Elk Lake parking to the top of Hough via the Lillian Brook trail (thanks Pin Pin!). Barebooted from Clear Pond to Elk Lake. Put snowshoes on at Elk Lake and kept them on all day. Snow was firm and well compacted. Didn’t need crampons, there was one tricky exposed rock/ice section just below the summit, but was able to get up and down it in snowshoes. Did not see any tracks towards Hunters Pass/Dix/Beckhorn past the LB turnoff to Hough, but ran into a group heading in that way on our way out. It was an incredibly clear, blue sky day but with the high winds and low temps, could not stay to enjoy the views for long. Happy New Year everyone!