Misty Mountain Hop
Mar. 2nd, 2026 10:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tiggymalvern
I made a day to hit the mountains again last week! It was a clear day at home, but the forecast said the mountains wouldn't be and that was true. Still nice to get out though.
It's definitely still a very snow-lite year. I've hiked Lake 22 in February before and there's been snow all the way from the car park. This time there wasn't significant snow until two thirds of the way to the lake, and only about 2 feet at the lake itself.
Small creek flowing down over the trail not far from the car park.
Fallen tree over the trail. The scale is deceptive. I'm over six feet tall in boots and I don't have to duck going under there.
Looking down onto the lake's outflow stream from the bridge crossing.
Mossy trees and mist on the mountains across the valley.
Getting close to the lake and here's the snow!
There was heavy mist at the lake when I first arrived, and the mountains on the far side were completely invisible.
But the forecast had said that the cloud would start to clear with glimpses of sun, and that part was true too. I sat by the lake eating lunch and drinking green tea and watching the conditions change.
The reasons for the limited snow were obvious - I took a coat but never wore it. Not a surprise hiking uphill, but even sitting still on a rock, I wasn't cold in just a sweater.
On the way back down, I got to see the views over the valley that had been hidden on the way up.
It was a nice, relaxing day out - nothing strenuous, just six miles and 1400 feet of elevation.
It's definitely still a very snow-lite year. I've hiked Lake 22 in February before and there's been snow all the way from the car park. This time there wasn't significant snow until two thirds of the way to the lake, and only about 2 feet at the lake itself.
Small creek flowing down over the trail not far from the car park.
Fallen tree over the trail. The scale is deceptive. I'm over six feet tall in boots and I don't have to duck going under there.
Looking down onto the lake's outflow stream from the bridge crossing.
Mossy trees and mist on the mountains across the valley.
Getting close to the lake and here's the snow!
There was heavy mist at the lake when I first arrived, and the mountains on the far side were completely invisible.
But the forecast had said that the cloud would start to clear with glimpses of sun, and that part was true too. I sat by the lake eating lunch and drinking green tea and watching the conditions change.
The reasons for the limited snow were obvious - I took a coat but never wore it. Not a surprise hiking uphill, but even sitting still on a rock, I wasn't cold in just a sweater.
On the way back down, I got to see the views over the valley that had been hidden on the way up.
It was a nice, relaxing day out - nothing strenuous, just six miles and 1400 feet of elevation.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-02 08:13 pm (UTC)I too am in the misty mountains right now :) This was the view from my bedroom a couple of mornings ago
no subject
Date: 2026-03-03 12:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-03-04 03:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2026-03-04 04:38 pm (UTC)We haven't seen much snow this winter, but it's the lack of it on the mountains that's concerning. We finally got moisture day before yesterday but in the form of rain, which never happens this time of year.
Love the pictures of your hike, it looks so peaceful. Did you see anyone else while you were up there?
no subject
Date: 2026-03-04 05:27 pm (UTC)Yeah, the whole of the west is missing snow this year...
I saw a few people coming down as I was hiking up. I only saw two other people while I was at the lake itself. Pretty quiet mid-week in the mist, which is how I like it!