The original plan was to try to reach the Lane Glacier like we did with the Valley Wanderers last year. But we very quickly scratched that idea once we reached fairly deep snow at the end of Archangel Road. The road itself was clear, but once we left it and started up a side trail leading to the very muddy official Lane Basin Trail, we found ourselves in snow. Initially it was just very wet snow but there was substantial water flowing beneath that snow. We crossed a couple of small creeks and then joined the actual Lane Basin Trail. We had to hop over a few streams on that trail as well. As we climbed, the snow got deeper. By the time we got to the lake just past the Monolith, the snow was over my ankles. I knew I should have worn gaiters. But my feet still stayed dry. We went a little past the lake but settled on a nice group of snow-covered rocks to take our lunch/snack break. It was obvious that it would be pointless to post-hole up through Lane Basin and attempt the steep climb though the snow-covered boulders to the remnant of the Lane Glacier. Snowshoes would have been necessary if we ventured any farther than our lunch spot. We climbed partway up a steep mound through the deep snow to look at the view. I dragged my feet through our footprints to help Bella along, since she was needing to hop from footprint to footprint. I decided to go back to our lunch spot and forgo the deep snow to that mound. A couple of the others also went back down. Then as soon as we were all together again, we started back down the route we had taken up. The whole hike was about 6 miles. Winter has definitely arrived in that area. The lake is even ice covered now. But I doubt it was safe to venture out onto it. It was warm enough that the snow on the trail was wetter than on our way up. Bella hopped along jumping the creeks and running up ahead with Bigby, Nan's big dog who was also with us. Bella loves when there is another dog along. She likes to run with the big boys!!! The mountains look so much more spectacular now with the snow on them. It won't be long before Archangel Road will close for the season, and this trip will only be accessible via skis or snowshoes.
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Me and Bella sitting between our snow lady and our snow bunny |