With a nice Saturday forecast, I drove Friday from work and slept at the trailhead, to make the most use of daylight next day. Started seeing snow a couple miles from the Park; it got more consistent after Whitewater Creek crossing. There were still some fall colors left
As you approach Jeff Park, you'll see this sign. What wilderness permit tells (and this sign isn't), is
Up in the Park everything looked wintry, but lakes were only starting to freeze - the moment I hoped to see for a few years but always missed! This is Scout Lake, with its famous reflection
I forgot just how large the mountain looks from there
Bays Lake
Park Butte from Bays Lake...
and over partially frozen Park Lake
Not much snow - about 6-8 inches in most places with some bare areas, although it got progressively deeper as I approached Russell Lake
All the small ponds were frozen
Russell was about 2/3 frozen and snow got too deep so I decided to stop at first overlook at the lake. There was a group camping with hammocks - seems like good choice for snowy conditions.
It's been nice to see high country one more time before winter, and enjoy sun and open views!