After a week of rain, I wanted to go back up to the PCT before snow cover made it difficult to get in and out. The access road to the trailhead is about 3miles. The first mile is clear of snow but has the usual number of potholes and ruts. The second mile has intermittent snow cover. The third mile switches to full winter mode. There is about 6-12 inches of snow along the edges and travel in two established ruts in the center. If you meet a car head on, one is going into deeper snow with no tracks. Four wheel drive recommended with a shovel in the back. The parking lot was open but was difficult to maneuver with all the ruts and packed snow. No facilities. There were 4 cars there at 11:00am Monday.
It is time to load your pack with full winter gear if going into the high country. The trail is now packed snow/ice 12-18” wide. When not snow covered, water is running down the middle of the trail since all the water drains are full of snow. Snow about 6” at the trailhead. It is about 9-18” deep up on the PCT.
It was very peaceful on the trail. There was light snow the whole time I was out. Very light as it did not cover my tracks over a two hour period. I headed north on the pct for a 30 minutes walk, but I was the only one going this way today. All others were headed to Lake Valhalla.
I met three other groups going up as I returned to the trailhead. These groups looked prepared. I did wince when I passed one family of six going down without packs and in sneakers. They had no room for error.
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