Big Creek — Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

Brisk beautiful morning, arriving at the trailhead at 8:15. Campground is closed and the vault toilets are also closed. The creek is running strong and the trail in good condition— a few blowdowns that you can step over.

A trail crew was there doing maintenance— thank you! Our group hiked the loop counterclockwise and went to the Viewpoint for a snack break. It looked as if Lake Cushman had skim ice on it and the horizon was spectacular! Snow patches on the trail had started just before the Viewpoint. Continuing up to the Elinor Connector, we traveled on packed snow much of the way. In our group of six, two people put on their micro-spikes, the rest of us did not. We saw no one on the ascent. As we returned to the cars, we saw three other parties. Great day: 8.2 miles/4.5 hours