It was my first time snow shoeing was with my climbing groups friends (thanks to Abbie who organized and snagged extra shoes from her work). We drove 45 minutes east of Seattle into the Cascade mountains. As we climbed, the snow started to fall and continued to get thicker and thicker as we approached our destination... Alpental.
We jumped out of the car into about 12 inch of snow (since the last time the plow came through). We dressed in our winter gear, strapped on snow shoes, grabbed the trekking poles and headed out into the snow! At the trailhead we were greeted by this snowman!
It was beautiful! Snow was falling at about an inch per hour as we hiked the trail!
At one point, there was a little mouse bopping along atop the snow. Organizer Abbie brought her dogs and they went NUTS over the mouse. One even snatched the mouse up in her mouth and trotted off. Luckily we were able to get the mouse back from the jaws of the dog unharmed and sent him happily on his way, but not without one last epic save as I dove head first down hill in the thick snow to prevent the dog from once again capturing the mouse.
Here's the mouse prior to release!
We grabbed a chilly log to sit on for lunch and then headed back to the cars.
Snow shoeing was a lot of fun, although I think I would prefer cross country skiing... mostly for the opportunity to coast. It was great to get out in the snow and enjoy the mountains!
