January 20, 2018
Our original plan was to snowshoe Panorama Point at Mt. Rainier this weekend, but the government shutdown affected National Park Services so while Rainier was technically open, we'd be going at our own risk - there would be no visitor services, limited emergency response, and no plowed roads. Instead, we headed north to Mt. Baker and had a wonderful time snowshoeing there.
I've never been in such perfect snow. It was dry, fluffy, and there was lots of it. It was gusty at times so the falling snow bit at our faces but we were all smiles. John mentioned it was perfect conditions for skiing/snowboarding, which is probably why we saw so many of them and only a handful of snowshoeing groups.
Two separate couples we passed on the way up were heading down due to either low visibility or fear of avalanches (avalanche danger was high today). They did not make it all the way up, but noted a group of 10 were still climbing.
We decided to head up farther, though, since we'd only been at it for an hour or so. Eventually all we could see was whiteness and all we could hear was snow pelting our hoods. There was no established snow path stomped out since we weren't following anyone else's trail/there wasn't one nearby. Andy was leading the way and plowed through the thigh deep snow for us with his powerful legs! Needless to say he was super tired the next day!
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| Near the snow-buried summer cabin |
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| Low visibility as we approached the top. Literally like walking into whiteness. |
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| Likely all dreaming of what to eat once we get down... |
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| Heading back |
The hike down was quick and we had a lot of fun stomping around, falling on our butts, and getting stuck. Nothing like a tiring snowshoe trip and long drive to get our appetites going for beer and then oodles of Asian food.
