Longmire to Cougar Rock Campground, Carter Falls & Narada Falls — Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023

It was all blue skies and snow fun on the mountain today. Despite the road to Paradise being open, I opted for Longmire due to icy roads. My spikes were perfect until Madcap Falls just after Carter Falls. My plan was to turn around there, but after talking a couple nice hikers into going up to Narada Falls if they were feeling good and had the time, I ended up talking myself into the extra trek so I donned snowshoes. Two parties zoomed past me wearing spikes. There are some wicked postholes, a couple downed trees, and one tiny unfun water crossing. I never had to break trail and only got a little disoriented on my way back when it got dark and I hit a big patch of dirt/mud. The packed snowy trail is much easier to follow when your headlamp only illuminates a few feet in front of you. The bridges were all in good condition for now...more snow might make a couple of the bridges up closer to Narada Falls worrisome. Traction is definitely advised.