We decided to park early. We could have driven all the way to the FR27 junction. Instead, we decided to park in this mud pit.
The water was *pouring* off the hills today. Lots of melt.
Working our way up FR23, this is right with the following pano and curve in the road.
The mentioned pano at the curve in the road. Still working up FR23. A beautiful day out, even with a few gray clouds.
Up at the junction with FR27/FR2710.
Over the hill and through the woods...to Crystal Lake we go.
FR2710 was pleasant. The snow was a bit "dirty" but that's fine.
Epic tree wells and gaps covered by not enough snow. I took note of this for the way back. I also totally forgot about it, and then found it, the hard way (without injury or even pain), but I was all in, my entire leg, and it was hanging, lol.
At the trail junction. Time for some nice snow to start appearing...
On the Crystal Lake trail. The snow was beautiful. Just starting to soften a bit, although I will say it was more slippery than usual.
We came across three delightful little bears crossing the trail.
As we progressed up the trail, the snow started to get a bit softer in places. We eventually switched over to our snowshoes.
The trail provided some rather epic post-holing/shoeing opportunities.
Beautiful snowshoeing here. Pictured is a wonderful friend from ESAR that I was hiking with today.
And then some of this stuff. We were nearing the final (rather large) uphill to the lake. Some route finding skills are needed here. There surely is no trail
.
Still heading up that last push. This is awesome! Lots of traps to be aware of, but a ton of fun gaining a solid amount of elevation right at the end.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake
