We left home and it was in the low 40s with a biting wind blowing. As we drove up 410 the temp was anywhere between 46 and 61 settling down to 53 when we arrived to the Buck Creek turnoff. We pulled a u-turn and parked alongside the road halfway on the berm of snow. It was hard packed and I drove back and forth a few times just to be sure. This would be the most snow on our trip today. As we got out of the car there was a surprisingly warm breeze blowing and made me question wearing long sleeves. We headed up the hill to the White River Trail and headed toward Ranger Creek. 0.1 mile there's a huge tree across the trail with its full branches hanging down. It was like walking through a series 10 of beaded curtains to get past, but not difficult. Within 0.5 miles we had to remove coats and the long sleeves as it was so warm - even in the shaded forest. There were about 11 trees down - the one of which you had to sit on and swing your legs over, one you had to cut the corner, but most could be stepped onto or over. They would all be difficult for bikes. Stopped at the viewpoint 2.5 miles up and got some sun on our faces. From that point the trail had lots of debris - nothing inhibiting - just an observation. Saw a 30 foot section of snow covering 90% width of the trail and that was it up to the burned section where we turned around about 3.7 miles. Not only was the trail snow-free, it was dry and crunchy sounding with most steps. The only other sounds today were the off and on of Ranger Creek. Very peaceful! Got back down and saw a couple and their 5 or 6 dogs near the car, but no one else.
There were 16 or so cars at Palisades as we drove past - a lot of them parked alongside the road as the berm prevented most from the usual parking orientation. Weird so much snow along the road and even on the houses near Federation Forest, but non on our hike.
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