Snow, at long last!

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Don Nelsen
Posts: 4377
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Snow, at long last!

Post by Don Nelsen » September 21st, 2021, 4:50 pm

We went out Monday, anticipating some nice views of snowcapped peaks and some nice cool weather. We were well rewarded!

This past weekend brought welcome relief from our seemingly interminable drought and a most welcome coating of snow to the higher peaks.

As we left Vancouver we could see St. Helens, Hood and Adams all nicely coated and anxiously drove to the planned TH at Cold Springs CG, Mt. Adams. The traffic was basically nil and we made it in record time and started up about 10:30.

On the way through Trout Lake, this was the view of Adams at about 9:30:
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In the shaded areas we encountered frozen ground at about 6k' and a few scattered areas of light snow at 6,400' but the continuous snow appeared to be above at least 7k'.

At the junction with the Round-the-Mountain Trail, we took a right and headed into the Rez after about two more miles of delightful and very scenic hiking. As we crossed the north end of Crooked Creek Meadow we were greeted with 5 or 6 babbling brooks that all came together into Crooked Creek.

Here's Kelly pointing and saying "Look, Water!"
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We took the trail that headed to Bird Lake and then a side trail that went to the base of Crooked Creek Falls and had lunch in one of the most scenic spots ever.
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8.3 RT miles, out and back. 1,586' EG. Hike # 88

A few more photos:
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A view from the trail:
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Same view, 2 hours, fifteen minutes later. The snow was melting fast.
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"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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Chip Down
Posts: 3037
Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: Snow, at long last!

Post by Chip Down » September 22nd, 2021, 7:50 pm

It's melting fast. The southwest chutes have a spring/summer look (ribs are bare) and to the right, over towards Suksdorf Ridge, it's looking mottled. No pic, as I was too far away, and I doubt it would have come out clear enough.

BTW, if my memory is correct, this is the third consecutive year we've seen low-ish elevation summer snow in the cascades.

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