Nason Ridge Trail

This was supposed to be a trip to Cascade Arm/Sahale Pass that, due to the government shut-down by a group of puerile egotists, resulted in the access road to the trail head, not to mention the NCNP itself, being closed. Alternate trip #1 was the Meander Meadows loop but, yet again, the access road was closed. Alternative #2, fortunately, did not have a gate and access to the Round Mountain Trail was attained. The initial goal was to take a group of 6, including moi, to Alpine Lookout to enjoy this breathtakingly beautiful day; however, Mother Nature had a surprise for us after only climbing a few hundred feet from the 4000' trail head: snow, and lots of it. The white stuff was fairly dry, but there was a lot of it and, without aide of snowshoes or traction devices, the going was somewhat slow. Still, our intrepid group of bipeds made the most of it and, with a steady pace, we traveled through the cemetery of trees, until breaking out upon the ridge and oh, the things we saw: endless vistas of mountains anointed by snow beneath a variegated sky of blue. The snow crowned mountains near and far and blanketed the ridge with 15" of virgin snow. Alas, we never made it to the lookout, stopping a mile short to lay upon the snowy ground beneath the sun for an enjoyable break before returning whence we came. Shortly after getting back on the Round Mountain Trail a deer was seen in the trees enjoying a mid-afternoon snack. This reminded us of our own post-hike appetites and we finished our trek and headed off for a well-earned repast.