I was fortunate to again be able to switch my day off to one where it was probably not going to rain. Decided to do an out & back to Larch Mountain from Multnomah Falls. I briefly contemplated hauling along snowshoes but in the end decided the snow had probably melted into ice by now so I threw in the microspikes instead. There were ice warning signs up on the tourist trail but the gate was open. There was rime ice all around the Falls,
on the bridge and railings,
and on a short section of the trail beyond the bridge – I used the microspikes to get past all this.
From then on, the trail was essentially dry and snow free almost all the way to the top. High clouds started rolling in as I headed up but there would be a few of those fabled “sun breaks” later on and, while the air was cold, it was not windy. Hamilton and Table were briefly visible across the river.
I didn’t need the microspikes again nor would snowshoes have been any use – what little snow there was on the trail was hard and crusty and easy to walk on. This is the boulder field at about 2600’,
the trail just below 3000’,
and the steps just before reaching Sherrard Point.
The high clouds eliminated any views of Hood or the other big peaks, but there was a nice view across to the now almost snowless Silver Star.
I didn’t go down to the parking lot or the road but my guess is that there is little snow on either one – maybe just enough in a few shady spots to block the road. While there was no snow on the trail, it was cold enough to create ice sculptures in the creek.
I passed three people about half way down from the top and then it was quiet until I started passing small clusters of tourists on the paved trail. However, compared to a day in the summer, the trail was essentially deserted. Good hike – 13.6 mi, 4000’ – so going back to work on Friday isn’t going to be so hard.
