8.5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
After seeing all the snow yesterday, it was decided to break out the skis (and not any body parts) and test the sticks for the first time since April. The plan was to start at Coal Creek Road from the locked gate at the Big Four Ice Caves trailhead and head up as far as we could. Unfortunately, a few 4WD vehicles must have had the same plan and we soon abandoned this road, so we headed back to the car attempted to make it to Barlow Pass but the snow proved too much for my box on wheels and we then headed to the Mt. Dickerman trailhead where we parked, strapped on the skis and headed west along the Mountain Loop Highway under a steady, relentless rain. The snow was actually in pretty good shape and, arriving at FS Road 4065 we headed up towards the Sunrise trailhead. The conditions overall were pretty good as we headed up the road. The creeks and streams along the side of the road revealed themselves to us in detail never before noticed and Sperry, Big Four, and Morningstar Peaks each made his presence known. Unfortunately the rain was proving too much a match for us today and the wet, combined with a dropping temperature and diminishing daylight, soon ushered us whence we came. Overall, a good day with only two falls (note to self: do not extend arms when falling; preferred method is to tuck and roll. Next time, when rolling, preference is to not roll into water-filled ditch on side of road). Hot coffee and a grilled chicken sandwich at the Green Gables off the Mountain Loop on the way home quickly warmed the body while the promise of more snow warmed the soul.
