While hiking from Grouse Vista to the summit is more difficult than other options and the trail (old roadbed) is very rocky, the views are unparalleled. Also, the approach road is much better than one coming to the north side trailhead and drive time is shorter. The road has some glimpse of Silver Star and Washington's Larch Mtn., so while still driving to the trailhead I began to see a lot of snow higher up. I didn't expect any snow at all and left my yaktracks at home, so this was a big surprise. However, it turned to be not too much snow to make hiking difficult, but enough to make it feel like winter.
The hike starts on old roadbed in the forest - very steep and rocky. After half an hour, we began to see more and more snow (I'd say snowline is about 2900-3000 feet there), and by the time we came to Pyramid Rock viewpoint there was about 2 inches of snow on the trail, and the trees were really "raining" on us. We were glad to be out of the forest.
Pyramid Rock was beautiful in the snow
As we got higher, the snow on the trail got deeper. Soon, there was about 5-7 inches of fresh snow on the trail, but only a trace under the trees. Several people have hiked there today before us so the trail was easy to follow. We went in and out of the woods, but now it was too cold for snow to melt/fall from the trees. The weather got more sunny as we went, there was mild and no wind until we got to the top (and just a light wind on the top). The middle section of the trail had lots of open views, and now it was real winter wonderland.
The section before summit gets steeper again and is mostly in the woods. There, we got a little "lost" - we came to an Y intersection and I took trail down going to the left thinking the right trail going to Indian Pits. However, in less than half mile we came to a big signed junction (where trails to Sturgeon Rock and Bluff Mtn start) and I realized our mistake. The trail to the Pits was probably snowed in so I didn't notice it. We re-traced our way back and soon were on the summit. The view toward neighboring snowy peaks was stunning.
View toward Baldy Mtn. and Bluff Mtn.
View toward North spur of Silver Star (where Ed's Trail is going)
...and toward Sturgeon Rock.
Pepper on the summit
I planned to hike back via Sturgeon Rock and Tarbell Trail to make a loop, but when we came to junction with Sturgeon trail earlier by mistake (see above) the trail didn't have any human tracks. I thought it would be foolish to try an unfamiliar snowed-in trail before a night fall so I spent an hour on the summit taking pictures and then we went back the way we came.
True summit from "false summit"
View from "false summit"
We met 3 groups hiking up, but had the summit to ourselves and were alone going back. The weather finally cleared up.
Looking back
Pyramid Rock again
Sunset was really nice
More pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/nikulin.rom ... arMountain#
