McNeil Point 2021/11/20
Posted: November 23rd, 2021, 7:01 pm
Photo of the Day:
A second weekend in a row with clear weather forecast on the mountain, without too much snow falling in the interim, meant another late-season alpine hike. After Cooper Spur, I figured the other shelter with a view would be the place to be, so I headed up to McNeil Point.
I usually avoid Top Spur trailhead on a sunny weekend, due to the crowds and limited parking. But apparently mid-November is past the busy season. I got a late start, to sleep in and let things warm up, and was the second car at the trailhead when I drove up at 9am. The road was completely snow-free, save the last mile or so. There was an inch or so of snow on the ground, and it was just below freezing with low clouds/fog.
The first stretch of trail had that misty wintry look, most things white and fog that limited visibility. I took the Bald Mountain detour hoping for some views, and wasn't quite treated to them. The clouds were too low to get an open view yet.
I re-entered the woods and was surprised when the tracks I had been following didn't make the cut over to the other fork of the Timberline Trail. I would be breaking trail from here. I kept climbing out of the clouds, and was treated to one of those really spectacular reveals at that open viewpoint on the Timberline Trail. This isn't usually the first mountain vista on this hike, but with the low clouds on Bald Mountain, it was on this occasion.
I decided against the express route, too steep and potentially icy, and continued up the long way. The McNeil ponds were frozen and snow covered, with maybe 4-6 inches. I had spikes but never put them on. The views really opened up on the ridge next to Ladd creek, and I picked my way over towards McNeil Point. With maybe a quarter mile to go I saw my first other hiker of the day, heading towards me from the shelter. I have to assume they came up the express route.
Conditions were great up top, mostly clear blue skies with some high clouds. Winds were calm, and in the sun it was very comfortable. This was my first time seeing the shelter with a nice coating of snow, and it looked great.
I was a little surprised at the low cloud layer. The ridge up to McNeil Point was dividing it very neatly. On the south side, the Muddy Fork was totally socked in. Bald Mountain was hidden, which meant no views on the way back. But the north side, which I guess is the McGee Creek drainage, remained completely clear.
The trip back down was slow going, due to frequent stops to turn around and take pictures in the changing light. I descended back into the fog as I headed down the ridge, and elected to skip Bald Mountain to save a few minutes. These last sections were impacted by last year's Labor Day windstorm, but all the blowdown from that was completely clear. All the fallen trees, plus the fog and a dusting of snow, gave that stretch of trail an eerie atmosphere. Night and day difference compared with the warm and clear conditions at the top.
A second weekend in a row with clear weather forecast on the mountain, without too much snow falling in the interim, meant another late-season alpine hike. After Cooper Spur, I figured the other shelter with a view would be the place to be, so I headed up to McNeil Point.
I usually avoid Top Spur trailhead on a sunny weekend, due to the crowds and limited parking. But apparently mid-November is past the busy season. I got a late start, to sleep in and let things warm up, and was the second car at the trailhead when I drove up at 9am. The road was completely snow-free, save the last mile or so. There was an inch or so of snow on the ground, and it was just below freezing with low clouds/fog.
The first stretch of trail had that misty wintry look, most things white and fog that limited visibility. I took the Bald Mountain detour hoping for some views, and wasn't quite treated to them. The clouds were too low to get an open view yet.
I re-entered the woods and was surprised when the tracks I had been following didn't make the cut over to the other fork of the Timberline Trail. I would be breaking trail from here. I kept climbing out of the clouds, and was treated to one of those really spectacular reveals at that open viewpoint on the Timberline Trail. This isn't usually the first mountain vista on this hike, but with the low clouds on Bald Mountain, it was on this occasion.
I decided against the express route, too steep and potentially icy, and continued up the long way. The McNeil ponds were frozen and snow covered, with maybe 4-6 inches. I had spikes but never put them on. The views really opened up on the ridge next to Ladd creek, and I picked my way over towards McNeil Point. With maybe a quarter mile to go I saw my first other hiker of the day, heading towards me from the shelter. I have to assume they came up the express route.
Conditions were great up top, mostly clear blue skies with some high clouds. Winds were calm, and in the sun it was very comfortable. This was my first time seeing the shelter with a nice coating of snow, and it looked great.
I was a little surprised at the low cloud layer. The ridge up to McNeil Point was dividing it very neatly. On the south side, the Muddy Fork was totally socked in. Bald Mountain was hidden, which meant no views on the way back. But the north side, which I guess is the McGee Creek drainage, remained completely clear.
The trip back down was slow going, due to frequent stops to turn around and take pictures in the changing light. I descended back into the fog as I headed down the ridge, and elected to skip Bald Mountain to save a few minutes. These last sections were impacted by last year's Labor Day windstorm, but all the blowdown from that was completely clear. All the fallen trees, plus the fog and a dusting of snow, gave that stretch of trail an eerie atmosphere. Night and day difference compared with the warm and clear conditions at the top.