Vista Ridge 6-30-13
Posted: July 1st, 2013, 6:48 am
Sorry no pics but here's a quick report on Vista Ridge. It was a brutally hot hike through the burned forest. The recovery from fire seems to be going better the higher you get on the trail. This area has always been great for avalanche lillies but this year is truly amazing. Millions of flowers were out yesterday, a truly impressive sight. First snow at 5300'. We lost the trail entirely around 5400' but it is very easy to find your way upward regardless. The open basins above the Timberline Trail junction were entirely snow covered but it is melting fast. We went as high as 6000' up the snowfields before turning back. I'd guess this area will be mostly snow free in 2 weeks at most.