Thanks Bobcat!
A glutton for punishment, Red Shorts ventured forth again yesterday (Wed, 1-10-24) after the big storm Tuesday.
As happens often, he was a first responder and cleared tons of rocks, branches, logs, etc..
Waters were above flood levels so part of Wakeena creek was flowing down trail below second bridge.
The bridge had a lot of melting slush present.
Fairy Falls footbridge also was just barely underwater.
The snow on the ground started in earnest at Wahkeena Springs.
He had been cleaning up many messes already but the snow made it much more difficult.
The freezing level was reached at the bottom of Primrose Path. Red Shorts was pretty wet by then and almost turned around. He put on waterproof mittons and glove liners, and a heat pack, underneath, as his work gloves were completely soaked! He tentatively proceded up Primrose Path. Soon his frozen fingers thawed.
The view from the new switchback:
Zooming in, one can see the snow covered Vista trail, which is still closed, as only a half foot wide trail goes above the landslide (Fairy Falls area). Foolish hikers did inform days ago that the trail is otherwise completely passable otherwise. Red Shorts just shook his head and kept silent!
The snow had let up but still heavy clouds overhead, did not need tinted googles or sunglasses.
He continued clearing stuff and packing the snow down to renew the trail.
Suddenly the trail disappeared entirely!
It took some figuring out, Red Shorts knows this trail like the back of his hand, so it was quite befuddling until he figured out that a huge tree had fallened and was already buried by snow. He cleared a path through the mess and began putting in some flags.
Facing the bluff:
Snow getting deeper!
He soon came to the tree on boulder at the jucntion with Devil's Slide and decided to wrap it with flag tape.
There was 4 to 5 foot snowdrifts on the north face by now as Devil's Rest mostly sheltered Red Shorts from the wind, but as the lee side, this is where much of the blown snow ends up. Often the top has MUCH less snow, along with the routes on the south side. Wind plaster snow on trees showing the SW direction of wind.
Approching the bluff:
At least one person with a dog had come down from the top and could not find trails so went back up.
Red Shorts apologizes and has placed more flagging in this area, as many flags have been snow covered or actually buried in snow. Signs on logs were uncovered, but will be buried soon.
The previously cut log:
It was joyful retracing the path down. Keep to the inside, as if one steps too far to edge, the not yet fully compacted snow will give way!
Adding to the enjoyment, a touch of blue sky!
On the lower trail, it was beginning to get dark so Red Shorts placed a flag at this, soon to be at eye level, poke instead of attempting to saw it from up above on the bank of snow. It started a downpour of rain soon after he got to the car. He never did need microspikes. It will probably well after the coming big freeze before he finds it safe enough to return...
