Alyssa and I were expecting to hike in the rain with minimal views today. We were pleasantly surprised with a mix of blue sky, clouds, actual sunshine (!!) and the rain started on our drive home. Views on our way out highway 2:
We drove up FS road 6066 to the Jennifer Dunn TH in Alyssa's maibu + chains. The malibu had no problem with clearance but was slipping and tires spinning before we put chains on. It looked like no one else had driven up that way for at least a few days. We had the TH to ourselves and found the outhouse locked.
We did not bring our snowshoes... oops. They're definitely necessary! We went slow and got a good workout breaking trail.
Trying for a few more inches of elevation for a better view....
We turned around after 2.5 miles (a little beyond the saddle) because of needing to be back in Seattle by late afternoon. We weren't moving too quickly since we were breaking trail without snowshoes. Once we were back on the old road portion of the trail we noticed animal tracks going downhill in our uphill tracks from earlier. They stayed in our tracks for maybe 0.75 miles all the way to the TH. The tracks circled our car and then disappeared into the trees. Any of you know what this might be? Too small for a bobcat?
We headed back down the road and stopped after ~2 miles to take our chains off.
Didn't see anyone else the entire day. Lovely chance to get out and even catch some views before the rain started!
The impressions of claws suggest dog rather than cat since cats typically walk with claws retracted. Most likely a scrawny coyote.
Ah, that makes sense. I was confused by the claw marks - I thought those wouldn't be present with a cat. Glad we were able to provide some sort of entertainment for a coyote.
I have seen cougar tracks in the snow with claws extended. It was on an inclined slope and the cougar likely extended the claws to gain traction on the upclimb. Haven't seen them on flat ground.
Well your trip report may have given people in sedans to attempt this hike today. There was a few on the road up there today. Two of which found the ditch instead of staying on the road. The new snow last night combined with people spinning on the road should make people with those types of vehicles to think twice.
Well addressed Sky there are too many people trying to push their vehicles in places they shouldn't go. They end up tearing up the road making it so those that can make it even more difficult or impossible. Plus adding the fact they block the road or get stuck and leave their vehicle parked in the middle of the road. But nice trip report
Well addressed Sky there are too many people trying to push their vehicles in places they shouldn't go. They end up tearing up the road making it so those that can make it even more difficult or impossible. Plus adding the fact they block the road or get stuck and leave their vehicle parked in the middle of the road. But nice trip report
We certainly didn't want to end up stuck or in a ditch! haha I suppose that's where judgment calls come into play. The fine line of knowing when it's safe/reasonable to keep going and when it's time to turn around.
Another marker that points to "canine" is that it appears that the snow ridges between the heel pad and the outer toes form a nice symmetrical "X". A feline's tracks don't make an even "X".
I read in a tracking guide once a good way to remember that: X marks the spot, and Spot is a dog.
Another marker that points to "canine" is that it appears that the snow ridges between the heel pad and the outer toes form a nice symmetrical "X". A feline's tracks don't make an even "X".
I read in a tracking guide once a good way to remember that: X marks the spot, and Spot is a dog.
Thank you! This is a nice, easy way to remember canine vs feline.
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