Went for a "long" day hike aiming for Little Ranger Peak on Saturday. Got to the trailhead a few minutes before 9am to only two other cars at the TH. Rain turned to snow at approximately 3,000'. Falls were roaring and very beautiful.
Some light snow on the trail before the second lookout, no spikes needed as the grade is pretty mild. Had to cross a snowfield between the second and third lookout which I put on spikes for - no postholing though. Got a little softer once the sun came out on the way back but still passable without sinking. After the snowfield the trail was all snow but fairly easy to follow even though I was the first to go that far that day. The third lookout was absolutely gorgeous though Rainier was not visible due to low clouds.
I continued on past the third lookout to a couple more viewpoints which were also stunning looking out over the valley which 410 runs through. After the final lookout once the trail turns away from the cliffside and begins to ascend to Little Ranger Peak the snow got much deeper and I had to turn back about 300 vertical feet from the top of Little Ranger Peak as I did not have my snowshoes and the trail essentially disappeared.
As I descended the sun came out and there was steam rising off the mosses - very beautiful and a tranquil thing to experience.
Ran into a few people coming up on the way back down but trail was largely empty for a Saturday.
Gaia clocked 12.0 miles, 2,600' elevation at 4hr51min.
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