Palisades, Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek — Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021

I hiked the full 15+ mile loop starting at Palisades TH, past Little Ranger Peak, down Little Ranger trail, then back along White River to the car.  Microspikes are necessary due to frequent ice as well as snow (18"+ in places) on the trail.  Snowshoes were of no help along the upper ridge line as people had hiked this route 4 days ago (see prior trip report) and put deep postholes on the trail.  I attempted to snowshoe but the trail is too narrow to walk on fresh snow and the postholes were deep (12-18") causing my ankle to turn if I stepped on them.  Snow pack was crusty/icy so microspikes worked best though I am short (5'5") so the postholes involved lots of high stepping!  Deeper snow started past the last lookout, all along the ridge line, and down the first section of switchbacks on Little Ranger.  Few trees down on the section from Palisades TH to Little Ranger Peak, a few big ones down on the Little Ranger decent and a BIG blowdown on White River near Buck Creek access from 410 (no mountain biking on that connector for awhile).   Total trip time was 8 hours so plan your daylight accordingly.  No one else on the trail all day.