The road from the gate to the lake is packed and getting pretty bare save for a few areas where drifts are substantial. Once you reach the turn for Mitchell trailhead the snow gets deeper. You'll need skis or snow shoes to get through the trees. I followed a set of tracks from the trail head that didn't follow the trail proper, but rejoin the trail just below the first set of switchbacks heading up to the ridge. This route worked out fine and wasn't much longer if at all. Snow thins out about 11,500', there is one field in the bowl but easily avoided. Not much post holing up high, the wind has scoured the slopes.
|
