blowdowns at 9500 feet on the 4WD road for Nellie Creek, left the truck at 9300 feet and hiked from there. starting at 10500 feet, the snow on the road gets a foot deep but I poached a snowshoer's trail and never needed my snowshoes on the road. The only time today I used traction was on the first creek crossing since the rocks were iced over and I was able with my microspikes to walk across safely. At 11900 feet I put on snowshoes and kept them on until 13600 feet, below the ridge crest. From here it was largely scoured free of snow. Bluebird day. Storm didn't roll in until I was almost back to my truck.
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