3-10-19
After
a snowshoe trip the day
before I was looking for an easier snow trip. A trip report said the
trail to Grand Prospect on Rattlesnake Mountain was well enough packed
that snowshoes were not needed. That sounded perfect. That and the lack
of crowds like at Mt. Si, Tiger Mountain, or Rattlesnake Ledges. It was
the first day of daylight saving time and as I see it I arrived at the
trailhead at the moderately early time of 8:25 am. Unfortunately, the
clock read 9:25 am. It seems that I was not the only one struggling
with one less hour of sleep. I was the third car in the lot. Two more
arrived before I started out. The lot has been plowed and most parking
spots are usable. The snow was plowed to the area between the fronts of
cars. This has made the spaces shorter. Enough room to get in and out
but definitely less room between the backs of parked cars.
I was on the trail with microspikes on by 9:35 am. Unlike most of my trip reports I'm not going to describe the hike. This is the Rattlesnake Mountain Trail to Grand Prospect. I hike it a number of times each year. I will give a break down on conditions and show my photos.
The first half mile or so is thin and icy snow. Traction devices are very helpful. After that the route turns to hard packed snow. Not really icy at all. I kept me spikes on for the entire trip however most of it could be down with boots alone. Add in poles and it would even be easier. Before the junction near Stan's Overlook the snow is getting deeper. The packed narrow track is solid but off to either side is softer snow. I stepped off for all but one person and I sank from 3-4 inches up to knee deep. If going at all off the beaten path snowshoes would be necessary. The sunshine in places really lit up the snow. Most of the route is in forest but the more open spots felt like spring not winter. When in the trench I had no problems with post holing. The snow is very well packed and firm.
I took 1:47 to reach Grand Prospect. That's about 15 minutes longer than I usually take on dirt. Deduct for a short visit to Stan's Overlook and many more quick photos and I was just a little slower. That is a very fast time for me on snow. All said, the conditions right now are excellent. A new dump of snow may change that but it was almost ideal on Sunday.
Click on thumbnails to get
larger pictures.
Trips - 2019
Home
I was on the trail with microspikes on by 9:35 am. Unlike most of my trip reports I'm not going to describe the hike. This is the Rattlesnake Mountain Trail to Grand Prospect. I hike it a number of times each year. I will give a break down on conditions and show my photos.
The first half mile or so is thin and icy snow. Traction devices are very helpful. After that the route turns to hard packed snow. Not really icy at all. I kept me spikes on for the entire trip however most of it could be down with boots alone. Add in poles and it would even be easier. Before the junction near Stan's Overlook the snow is getting deeper. The packed narrow track is solid but off to either side is softer snow. I stepped off for all but one person and I sank from 3-4 inches up to knee deep. If going at all off the beaten path snowshoes would be necessary. The sunshine in places really lit up the snow. Most of the route is in forest but the more open spots felt like spring not winter. When in the trench I had no problems with post holing. The snow is very well packed and firm.
I took 1:47 to reach Grand Prospect. That's about 15 minutes longer than I usually take on dirt. Deduct for a short visit to Stan's Overlook and many more quick photos and I was just a little slower. That is a very fast time for me on snow. All said, the conditions right now are excellent. A new dump of snow may change that but it was almost ideal on Sunday.
 Snowy Parking Lot |
 Trailhead Sign |
 Heading Up Trail |
 Snow Trench |
 Olympic Mountains |
 Road Crossing |
 Mt. Baker From Stan's |
 Fuller Mountain |
 Snowy Picnic Table |
 Trackless Bike Trail |
 Overhanging Branches |
 Sun Shining Through |
 Snowy Bridge |
 Nice View |
 Bright Sunshine |
 Mt. Baker From GP |
 Grand Prospect |
 Mt. Teneriffe |
 Mt. Si |
 Big Snowy Peak |
 Me & My Shadow |
 Warm Sunshine |
 Snowy Gate |
 Snowy Arch |
 Mailbox Peak |
 Stripes |
 Si From Snoqualmie Point |
 Mt. Si Close Up |
Trips - 2019
Home