I’d been hoping to get into this area at least once this season. With the Chiwawa River Road trailheads closed all summer due to the Pomas Fire, access has been tough. The area finally reopened on October 15, but a string of stormy weekends kept pushing plans back. At last, a sunny day lined up with the weekend forecast.

Snow began on road about two switchbacks before the trailhead, and the trail was covered from the beginning. Coverage was intermittent on the lower sections.

We brought micro spikes, poles, snow shoes, gaiters and 3 season boots. Put the snowshoes shoes on at 5,400.

With all the precipitation this week, there were no tracks or footprints remaining in the snow from parties that went up last weekend. We broke trail the entire way up. 

On the switchbacks up into the basin, we could see roller balls, and snow that was loose. Noticed how this stretch of trail becomes unsafe when there’s a lot of snow, due to avalanche danger and the slopes facing south.

We cut a few of the switchbacks on this section on the snow to stay further climbers, right. The steep terrain with deep snow was hard for the one of the dogs as he was sinking in up to his chest even when following in our snowshoe tracks.

There’s a lot of loose, deep and dry snow on the last 600-700 feet to the basin. The snow is really deep in the basin as well. Had a nice snack. Enjoyed the trees, the snow and the views in the basin.

Didn’t see anyone else all day. Two cars were heading out on the main road in the morning. That was it.

The fire crew did an AMAZING job clearing trees and brush on the east side of the road. All the way along Chiwawa River Road. I was very impressed and it will help for future potential fires that come through that area. Great way to use the long fire closure to help protect for future seasons. There are a lot of prescribed burn piles that being burned right now. It might have been about 20 sections that were being burned, with active flames.

The road is also in great shape. The pointy/sharp rocks that were at the section close to Trinity are even gone.

Wanted to get in one more larch hike for the season! Road conditions are fine with snow as you get closer to the trailhead and in the parking lot.

Snow starts right from the parking lot and microspikes were great until the basin. (The snow softened out throughout the day, so gaiters may be useful.) Trail was well-trodden and we had no issues following it. Once you get closer to the basin, the snow becomes pretty thick and soft with post-holing up to the knee. At the basin, we put on our snowshoes and continued across, following previous snowshoe tracks to the peak. We saw some post-holing tracks on the trail, so this part is doable without snowshoes but would highly recommend bringing if you have them.

As expected, almost all larches are past prime, although a few have hung on making for nice photos. At the ridgeline, we continued heading left (north) to tag the summit. Snow is accumulating and soft, but no issues with cornices (yet). Unfortunately, Glacier didn't show, but still enjoyed the views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Beautiful morning to hike Carne mountain before the rain clouds rolled in. Freeze/thaw conditions on the trail and it was icy in the morning on the way up and muddy on the way down. Trail increasingly snow covered for the second half, with calf/knee deep snow between the basin and the summit. Trail was easy to follow until just past the basin then some route finding and trail breaking required through the snow. Hiked with microspikes and poles. Plenty of parking at the trailhead and it was a lovely quiet day on the trail- we only passed 6 other people. Larches past glacier basin a combination of prime and past prime, and they were stunning in the snow.

Overgrown in spots but in good shape. Larches!! Went to the top without micro spikes but they would have been nice. Parking available down the road at 1030 pm a Saturday so better than other options.

Larches in the basin are in full swing, so much color from them, as well as the ashes and blueberries. It was beautiful. The Larches on the ridge are starting to look a little bare. Wind picked up fiercely at the peak, I had to double up on gloves to make it bearable. Quite crowded, but scarce enough that it still allowed for a bit of peace.

Road to the trailhead is in impeccable condition.