Quick Tram trip 12/19/2008

[halhiker]

Went on a quick little trip to the Tram for a few hours today and it was splendid. Took the first Tram car up at 10 and after a few stops got on the non-broken trail at about 10:30 or a bit after. The snow was deep and soft and even with snowshoes I probably sunk down twelve to eighteen inches with every step. Very slow going.

I planned to go over to the Hidden Divide but I ran into some tracks left by a trio of young bucks who started out a little before me. They were not taking any of the standard routes but since they were breaking trail, I didn't care and just followed their tracks. They were going in between the two trails toward Round Valley.

Since I was very limited time wise I only got about even with Yale Peak before I had to turn around. Like I said, the going was slow.

But the mountain is beautiful with a LOT of fresh snow. As far as I know the standard trail to Round Valley has not been broken from the first junction (only .3 miles from the Tram). Nor has the trail to Hidden Divide or the High Trail been broken.

I took the 2 PM Tram down because I had to pick up kids at school. It could have been broken after that but it's doubtful unless someone comes back that way. Somebody will have fun tomorrow.

All in all a fun, albeit, short day. I'll post some pictures on my blog later tonight. http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com/

Hal

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks for the report!

[halhiker]

I put up a little blog post with a few pictures and a link to more pictures.

http://hikeeveryday.blogspot.com

[KathyW]

Hal: Thanks for your report and pictures. I'm surprised it was so warm up there. I'll be headed up in the morning.

Kathy

[halhiker]

Hal: Thanks for your report and pictures. I'm surprised it was so warm up there. I'll be headed up in the morning.

Kathy

Have fun! I was also very surprised that it was that warm up top. It was actually just as cool at the lower station. I guess up top they were getting a lot of direct sun and the reflection was warming the ambient temps. While the lower station stayed cool because cold air goes down and the lower station was in the shade. Lotsa snow, though.

And I've got a long way to go before any of my pictures come close to yours. I'm trying, though.

[LAMike]

Hey,
we must have passed one another on the trail. That middle route you're talking about is (I think) what's called the 'winter route'... somewhere between the switchbacks that go off to the left, and SidDavis, which goes off to the right (at the sign where they split).
Someone else did get kind of lost and headed off to the left, further on, but we corrected the trail, crossing the stream over to the right, then crossing back left, later on. Was the trail broken all the way to round valley for you?
Geez... we must have passed one another!
Mike