8.9 miles of hiking • 2500' elevation gain •
I didn't believe the weather report for this area because it's almost always wrong. I made a mistake this time and left behind some of the warmer clothes, but what I had held up! It was cloudy and in the high 30's at the TH. We headed up the Monte Carlo TH and before we reached the intersection with the Buck Creek Trail the temperature dropped below freezing and there was a freezing fog all around us. The ground wasn't yet frozen but there was evidence of ice heaving. There were piles of ice pellets at the base of many of the trees. There were only a couple of spots that had snow remnants and last time we were here there was a couple of feet of the white stuff. No people were on the trail and the fog added a magical touch to the ambience! No views were present. I apparently tweaked my knee again, going under a tree, and I'm a bit frustrated with how frail it appears to be after all the hikes we do. The Monte Carlo trail only has a few trees across it and is in great condition. The Buck Creek trail we hiked on really needs a brush out but is still easily traversed! Great day in the clouds!
