Trails: Jewell, snowfields, Gulfside, Jefferson Loop, Clay Loop, Crawford Path, Monroe Loop, Eisenhower Loop, Webster-Jackson
Peaks: Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce
Conditions: outstanding! Snowshoes useful for traction on Jewell with the fresh ~1-2" of powder on the well-packed trail and on the snowfield-shortcut toward Jefferson (had to go higher for this than in past years due to the reduced snowcover but still found some nice spruce traps to drop into), then once on the Gulfside it was Hillsounds for the rest of the day.
Comments: Snowpack on Gulfside above the Clay Loop has interesting exposure above & into Great Gulf (could make make for an unpleasant slip) so I chose to go up the railroad tracks for nice quick walking conditions. Otherwise, trails are in terrific walking shape. Nice to chat with familiar faces while on approach to Lakes (Silverfox, Tim & Val, George, Per, John, canines) and other hikers as well. The high cloud cover moved in during only part of the afternoon, making Eisenhower the only windy & not-sunny peak, otherwise it was high-visibility & sun on the Presi's. What a day!
Peaks: Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce
Conditions: outstanding! Snowshoes useful for traction on Jewell with the fresh ~1-2" of powder on the well-packed trail and on the snowfield-shortcut toward Jefferson (had to go higher for this than in past years due to the reduced snowcover but still found some nice spruce traps to drop into), then once on the Gulfside it was Hillsounds for the rest of the day.
Comments: Snowpack on Gulfside above the Clay Loop has interesting exposure above & into Great Gulf (could make make for an unpleasant slip) so I chose to go up the railroad tracks for nice quick walking conditions. Otherwise, trails are in terrific walking shape. Nice to chat with familiar faces while on approach to Lakes (Silverfox, Tim & Val, George, Per, John, canines) and other hikers as well. The high cloud cover moved in during only part of the afternoon, making Eisenhower the only windy & not-sunny peak, otherwise it was high-visibility & sun on the Presi's. What a day!
