[Mosquito Food]

This was an overnighter to Ipsut Creek camp along the Carbon River trail at MRNP. Day 1: Obtained permit and headed in along the initially snow less Carbon River trail (old road grade) at about 10:00 AM. Essentially snow free until the Green Lake trail intersection. Intermittent snow drifts until one reaches the Chenuis Falls intersection, then full on 1-2' deep consolidated snow after that. Used micro spikes and did just fine.

The Chenuis Falls foot log is obsolete as the river has changed course. Not possible to cross to the falls. Back along the Carbon River Trail, I cannot recall if it was before or after Chenuis, but there is a section of trail that is washed out so one has to log hop through the woods for about 100 yards to bypass it. It's that section that was routed through the flood plain last spring due to washouts. Well, it's unfortunately full of water now.

Ipsut Camp in good shape with 2-3 feet of snow. Bear boxes are accessible and as well as many of the picnic tables. Stayed in site #11. One of the privy doors is off square so it doesn't close all the way, but the privy is accessible.

Took an afternoon day hike up to Ranger Falls, pretty much snow free all the way up until immediately before the falls, it gets a bit icy. Day 2: Hiked up to the lower crossing over the Carbon River along the western terminus of the Northern loop trail. Saw many hiker tracks in the snow so lots of other folks have ventured up. For the lower crossing (of the Carbon River), the first two log crossings are still in place but the third one has been cut short by the river meandering northward. Had a nice picnic on the snow covered sand bar while gazing up at Willis Wall and the Carbon Glacier.

To summarize, the trail between Ipsut and the Northern Loop has consolidated snow so micro spikes were all I needed to get through it. Immediately after Ipsut falls there is an old grown blow down that requires a shimmy under; but that's it, no other substantial blow downs on trail. Packed up camp and hiked out about 2:30 PM on Monday the 20th just as the rain was starting. That's all folks!

[flatsqwerl]

Good details...thanks. Its nice relaxing campground this time of year I'm sure.

[hikerman]