[silly_traveler]

GeoTom, Jasper and I went to Lake Valhalla on Saturday. The original plan was Union and Jove Peaks. When we got to the junction to turn for either Valhalla or U and J, we saw that nobody's been up there recently. With the thick layer of fresh snow that we've just got in the past week, we didn't feel like breakin' trail So at that point we decided to head for Valhalla. We had to break some of that trail, but there was something to follow most of the time. Now there is an excellent trail all the way up to the overlook. The snow was soft and wet It was a bit misty in the morning, and turned cloudy along the way, and on our way down the sun tried to break through the clouds Thanks for the company I tried to take more photos of Jasper, but it was tough! Stats- 7 miles and 1900 ft. gain (I think)

lake valhalla

lake valhalla

extra large snow baskets

snow is yummy

a bit of lichtenerg

sun?

GeoTom takin' the lead

patches of blue

patches of blue

GeoTom and Jasper

Mr. Jasper

[wildernessed]

Damn, that's walking distance from my house. I really need to get up there, I'd like to do McCausland / Lichtenberg and enjoy the Smithbrook experience in the winter. Hopefully Union and Jove are in the near future, I want some views for the effort though.

[silly_traveler]

I want to do McCausland too Let me know when you want to go Assuming you want to shoe with me Yeah, views it's all about the views

[wildernessed]

Are you a weekday or weekender, I am open for both, but prefer weekdays, early for the quiet solitude. I have to look at the forecast, but I have one foot out the door now, my knees better so I need tomake up for lost time.

[Joe]

No shoe shot Where is jake?

[GeoTom]

Jake was comfortable in her pack! Apparently the view wasn't good enough to entice him to come out and have a picture taken.

[silly_traveler]

[Opus]

Way to go! Valhalla is a real slog in fresh soft snow. Glad you guys got some views out of the trip. Looks like that fresh blast of snow covered our trail from last weekend. I'd also love to head up any of those peaks on the Smithbrook. All my trips up there and I've still only seen the lakes!

[Aligeo]

Glad you had a nice snowshoe to Lake Valhalla. Given the avy forecast for the day it is a good thing you did not feel like breaking trail! Conditions probably would have been fine up to Union Gap, but heading up to Union might have been a bit slippy. Thanks for sharing your trip!

[GeoTom]

Not a great day for views, but here are a few photos:

My favorite tree on Smithbrook Road

Hanging on

Filtered sunshine

Play time for the dog