[Nancyann]

Monday was a perfect day to head up the Sultan Basin to Olney Pass and the east access road to Blue Mountain. Temperatures were below freezing, but the bright sun provided plenty of warmth beneath the cloudless bluebird sky. As a bonus, the road was a solid sheet of ice, providing an effective deterrent to the inevitable group of target shooters we normally have to pass through at the road gate. It was so..peaceful.

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

The conditions were absolutely superb for snowshoeing and it didn’t take long before we gained enough elevation to start enjoying the views!

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Debris from logging was covered by several feet of snow, creating interesting wind blown sculptures and providing shelter for a variety of wildlife.

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

We followed a spur road to its end which opened up some amazing views into the wild backcountry of Big Four, Vesper, Sperry, Morningstar and much more. Spada Lake looked unusually pretty in the foreground.

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

Bald Mountain from Blue Mountain 3/4/19

Blue Mountain from Olney Pass 3/4/19

A gentle breeze blew as we basked in the warm sun eating lunch and dreaming of summer, enjoying a glorious day in the mountains!

[Roly Poly]

Perfect snow for observing animal tracks. I wonder what unseen companions you had out there? Photos 10,11,12 and 15.

[Nancyann]

Thanks RolyPoly, I love how the snow can show the secret life of wild animals. I have a tracking book, but it doesn’t show what they look like in the snow, so I haven’t figured out these little mysteries yet.