[El Puma]

Couldn't beat this day! Thought I'd post this in case someone wants to head up there this weekend. Pics to follow tomorrow, too tired to resize now . Road is very good even for "normal" cars (such as a Golf). There was a (volunteer?) Ranger at the Ipsut entrance to check our passes at 8AM. Hike to the bridge no problem. A few snow patches in Carbon River Camp, but easily passable and no postholing even in the evening. One avalanche remnant to be crossed 1/2 mile past bridge, a little sketchy when hard in the AM due to runout considerations; I had the axe and cut steps. Dick Creek is fully snow-covered. Followed some faint tracks (someone had left a TR on the WTA-site) and had no trouble route-finding. Trail about 75% snow-free to the 4200ft level, then 50% to about 4600 and then turns to pretty solid snow. The creek shows about 10ft snow walls. At 11AM already quite sloppy. Slightly more than boot-deep at every step once out in the open (above 4800). Lunch at a small ridge overlooking the Moraine Park, the glacier and of course the Mountain. VERY sloppy on the way back (occasionally hip-deep) until you got into the tree-protected snow on the trail. If you intend to go past Moraine Park (Misty Ridge, any of the high points on the left), do yourself a favor and bring snow shoes. Leave the axe at home and bring ski-poles with good baskets instead - the axe went through to the handle at every step - remarkably little structure to the snow. Descent was HOT on the west-facing slope. About five parties out by the bridge (met one who was trying for Liberty Ridge - better them than me on the Carbon without snowshoes at this time of afternoon)! Have fun, drink lots and slap on the SPF 45 - you'll need it! Cheers!

sTrillium

sNface

sMorCreek