With a destination named, Bingley Gap, how could we not be thrilled? There are many possible destination on this trail but considering snow levels we set our sights on some good views. This trail did not disappoint.
The first mile or so it lowland forest. Lots of moss, and this time of year, rotting leaves. The frequent bridges were covered is slick, rotting, frozen, leaves. After this the trail was really quite fantastic. A few large trees need to be negotiated but nothing too terrible. This trail is however, completely impassible to stock at 1.25 miles.
We encountered snow starting at about 3300'. By 4300' it was constant, and by 5400', where we stopped it was several feet deep. The trail was amply packed but still required good sense and some expertise. Views are peek-a-boo at times and expansive at others. Sloan and Bedal are in your face to the south, Pugh rears it's dramatic face periodically through the trees, and Breccia's rugged southern face is very close off the northern side of the ridge.
We packed snow into a bench and soaked up the sun. A few fair weather clouds kept blowing in over Sloan but otherwise it was a glorious day. We saw the tracks of a few ptarmigans and a snowshoe hare or two.
Comments