East Zigzag Mtn loop: Burnt up, Cast down
Posted: December 2nd, 2018, 8:33 pm
The Burnt Lake trail (north end, the trail that actually goes to Burnt Lake) was every bit as charming as I remembered it. Even better with a dusting of fresh snow.
I was disappointed to see so many footprints, fresh, maybe from yesterday, with about an inch of new overnight. When Burnt Lake Trail hit ZZ Mtn Trail, they went left/east towards Hood. I was happy to be breaking trail in virgin snow, no sign of any footprints at all.
Approaching the top of East Zigzag, it started snowing. Persisted for maybe 3-4 hours, but very light.
Dropped down the west side of EZZ, took a side trip to Cast Lake, returned to ZZ Mtn Trail, started back the way I came, but then decided to do a loop, down the Cast Creek trail. I was a little nervous about following an unknown trail in the snow, but I knew after a brief ascent to the high point of the trail, it would descend fast. I figured if I could follow the trail for an hour, the snow should get thin enough that it would be easy to follow. Sure enough, no problems. Horrible trail though. Other than the high point just north of the ZZ Mtn junction, there were no views. Too gentle of a grade, with long switchbacks. This isn't a trail I can recommend. Still, it was better than retracing my steps back to EZZ and Burnt Lake.
Never saw Hood from EZZ. Or from much of anywhere else, for that matter. Pretty cloudy. Kept looking like it might clear, but never did except a few blue spots that didn't persist.
No wind to speak of, and it was cool enough that I didn't get bombarded by slush bombs slipping off trees in the afternoon. All in all, quite a pleasant day. Main gripe: never a dry place to sit all day.
Google says I walked about 15 miles today, + maybe a couple more just poking around. Felt like more than that. Tiring day, what with the snow and short time between sunrise/sunset.
I was disappointed to see so many footprints, fresh, maybe from yesterday, with about an inch of new overnight. When Burnt Lake Trail hit ZZ Mtn Trail, they went left/east towards Hood. I was happy to be breaking trail in virgin snow, no sign of any footprints at all.
Approaching the top of East Zigzag, it started snowing. Persisted for maybe 3-4 hours, but very light.
Dropped down the west side of EZZ, took a side trip to Cast Lake, returned to ZZ Mtn Trail, started back the way I came, but then decided to do a loop, down the Cast Creek trail. I was a little nervous about following an unknown trail in the snow, but I knew after a brief ascent to the high point of the trail, it would descend fast. I figured if I could follow the trail for an hour, the snow should get thin enough that it would be easy to follow. Sure enough, no problems. Horrible trail though. Other than the high point just north of the ZZ Mtn junction, there were no views. Too gentle of a grade, with long switchbacks. This isn't a trail I can recommend. Still, it was better than retracing my steps back to EZZ and Burnt Lake.
Never saw Hood from EZZ. Or from much of anywhere else, for that matter. Pretty cloudy. Kept looking like it might clear, but never did except a few blue spots that didn't persist.
No wind to speak of, and it was cool enough that I didn't get bombarded by slush bombs slipping off trees in the afternoon. All in all, quite a pleasant day. Main gripe: never a dry place to sit all day.
Google says I walked about 15 miles today, + maybe a couple more just poking around. Felt like more than that. Tiring day, what with the snow and short time between sunrise/sunset.