Web Mountain via Putrid Pete's Peak, Mount Defiance — Friday, May. 9, 2025

Did the P3-Defiance loop Friday after turning back a couple weeks ago due to treacherous snow along the ridge. Parked at Exit 42 and took the short trail up to the Ira Spring trailhead - I like this approach because you get 600' bonus gain and don't have to drive that unpleasant road. No snow on the P3 trail or ridge until you get to the base of Defiance. (We skipped the side-scramble to Web, but it looked snow-free as well.)  While the P3 trail gets quite steep, the ridge provides no difficulties and in fact has a pretty well established boot path. Snow begins after it enters the forest and soon starts heading up Defiance.  I had no problem kicking steps in the snow with running shoes, but if it were icy you'd want spikes and an axe. Coming down Defiance was interesting; you want considerable confidence in steep snow, and I felt no shame checking GPS regularly to stay on the trail, which was mostly snow-covered to Mason Lake.  We took the forbidden "old trail" down (sorry, but it's much prettier, if rougher) and enjoyed the scenic creek and large trees. It felt good to take full advantage of what looks like the last sunny day for a while.