[Opus]

With a rotten forecast and terrible avalanche conditions nearly everyone else dropped off the trip, but two of us were feeling crazy enough to head out somewhere. Finding out where was the hard part. We didn't feel safe heading somewhere we hadn't been this time, so it was off to Lanham lake. Driving over Stevens wasn't as bad as I expected. There was alot of fresh snow up there, and quite a few people pointed off into snowbanks not heeding the warning to put on their chains. We made it over easily enough and down to the Nordic Center, where the snow was falling in huge glops instead of nice fluffy flakes. You could hear it impact on the cars. The entire parking area was a sea of slush. Ick. We started up the trail in this dreck hoping to get into real snow. There was a faint trail that helped greatly with floatation, but the snow was so wet and heavy we didn't sink too terribly much off trail. I'd brought my 30" boat snowshoes, turns out I didn't need them. We made good time up to the lake, walking slow and keeping an eye out for sketchy slopes. Near the lake we ran into a couple heading down who had spent the night at the lake! Initially I thought the girl was Silly_Traveler, but nope, just her doppleganger. At the lake it was ridiculously windy and our faces went numb quickly. We found a sheltered spot for a quick lunch, then got out of dodge as the heavy wet glop on the trees started bombing all around us. By the time we got back to the car I was pretty soaked from the wet snow. We cranked up the heaters, and headed over to Monroe for Thai food. Going over Stevens we saw a pretty large avalanche down over the eastbound lanes slowing things. So much new snow up there in the last few days, it's amazing! Once conditions stabilize a bit it should be fabulous up there.

Lanham Lake trip photos

[silly_traveler]

Why did you think it was silly_traveler? Opus! You went snowshoeing again without me?

[Magellan]

Did you skip on the trail, or merely hover in place?

[Opus]

Hey, she looked like you from that other thread Silly! We weren't even sure where if anywhere we'd end up this weekend because of the avalanche conditions this time. We figured we were snowshoeing, not walking, on the trail so I think we got off with a technicality on that rule.

[Dayhike Mike]

Hey Opus, How's the Thai place in Monroe? I've always wanted to stop there, but never really had the chance...

[Opus]

I've been there twice now, it's very good. Nice decor too. The food could be spicier but they've got a very big menu. Until last weekend I didn't know Monroe even had a Thai place!

[trailbug]

Hey Opus, that was me that you saw up there! I saw silly_traveller's mug on the pic thread, and we do look pretty similar at first glance. We even both have blue jackets! FUNNY!

I posted my TR on my blog. We also ate in Monroe afterwards ... We weren't so adventurous with the cusine though. We headed to the local Red Robin and downed some burgers.