Started this hike around 330am from Ammo parking lot. I can’t recall a time where i had worse visibility due to mist/basically being in a cloud all the way up to 5400 feet. The entire trail was soaked due to said mist & the small amount of rain that had fallen the night before. At some point i ended up removing my fleece layer/only wearing a base layer until 4700 feet where the snow started.
At this point base layer, fleece, & water proof shell went on as well as microspikes. The snow was basically about 4-5 inches deep until about 5400 feet where drifting had taken place & less overall melt. I would have benefitted from snow shoes at that point. This becomes clear every step i take where i am sinking in quick-sand. With snowshoes this does not happen & hiking is much easier.
The wind was 0-10mph at sunrise & when i felt it, it felt warmish. It is not truly yet winter…
One response to “10-17-2023 Washington via Jewell”
Nice hike. Looks like you had a great sunrise hike in the alpine zone. The Gulfside trail sections looks like pre winter. The snow covered alpine zone is my favorite. I just hiked Mount Washington this past winter. Great views always. Thanks for the info any posting.