Date of hike: 3/9/12
Trail Conditions: About an inch of new snow on hard stuff. From the trailhead to the hut the trail was pretty well postholed. We wore microspikes and had no issues other than trying to avoid the postholes. Once at the hut, what a difference! the trail there was perfect - smooth packed. Above treeline there were some patches of ice on the steep section, which I would not have wanted to try without traction, but we did see 2 women in running sneakers coming down that section on their butts!
Special Equiipment: Traction needed above treeline. Saw people in snowshoes, crampons, microspikes.....and sneakers.
Comments: What a great day it turned into. After driving up in snow squalls, the sky cleared just in time for us to make the decision to try Lafayette. And I'm really glad we did. Little wind, clear skies, good temps. Nice day to be up there.
Trail Conditions: About an inch of new snow on hard stuff. From the trailhead to the hut the trail was pretty well postholed. We wore microspikes and had no issues other than trying to avoid the postholes. Once at the hut, what a difference! the trail there was perfect - smooth packed. Above treeline there were some patches of ice on the steep section, which I would not have wanted to try without traction, but we did see 2 women in running sneakers coming down that section on their butts!
Special Equiipment: Traction needed above treeline. Saw people in snowshoes, crampons, microspikes.....and sneakers.
Comments: What a great day it turned into. After driving up in snow squalls, the sky cleared just in time for us to make the decision to try Lafayette. And I'm really glad we did. Little wind, clear skies, good temps. Nice day to be up there.
