[Backpacker Joe]

Admin Note: Some of the initial posts have disappeared. Yes sir, if this here weather continues we's gonna bee hikin low lands for awhile this summer. That or carrying more gear! TB

[Scrooge]

Spring is in the mind of the beholder - not to mention the backyard.

[Newt]

Just lets me know it's still shoein' and skiin' weather. Think I'll gear up and shoooe ooon dooown the roooad. NN

[McPilchuck]

Did someone say Snowshoe Trail Hiking and Ice Ax Fishing this year? <grin>.

[Malachai Constant]

On the bright side the snow keeps down the bad brush and rhe hoards of newbie hikers that will be following "Hidden Hikes" up to pristine lakes. Just take an axe. We went up index fron the North Fork once by a route that would be impossible most years.

[catwoman]

Those birds are just singin' and singin' outside! At least it sounds like spring!

[Allison]

Anyone know how the avy danger is? I'm thinking of maybe getting out tomorrow...

[Slosh E.O. Path]

Hey Allison, the snow is wet down low. Sloshing down the ol' path. the avy conditions were relatively tame on the relatively tame route up Mutton Mountain today. Forecast was moderate to low. There has been considerable settlement since last weekend. The snow conditions are not spectacularly good though. It wasn't until up at 4700' that we had drier conditions. Underneath was a decent crust. We never ran into anything deeper than 12" all day, except very low. That may be the worst part -- below 3500'. Suggest getting as high as possible to get the best snow. Heading up McCausland (Smithbrook Rd) tomorrow. If you need more data, can provide tomorrow evening. If not, have a great trip! Sincerely, Mssr. Sociopathic Schitzo Name-Of-The-Day

[catwoman]

Allison, I'm sure you're already out there, but weather's beautiful in town while it looks pretty dreary over the hills. Hopefully there are plenty of blue holes over you that I can't see from here!

[MtnGoat]

Just got back from a weekend at Saddle, and it didn't really feel like spring until yesterday. Sat temps stayed low and the low, battleship grey skies and large amounts of fog/haze combined with a few remaining patches of snow to kind of put a cold feel on the day. Flowers are late this year, no sign of blooming yet even on the dry side. Sat nite brought the first actual rain I've ever seen in 5 years of trips to Saddle, followed by a cloudy misty morning. However, by late afternoon the sun was out and the temps were at least 10 degrees higher than the previous day, so that added a little more springlike atmosphere. Headed west into a gorgeous sunset for the trip home, Ellensburg had clear skies and I was looking forwards to a mellow trip over the pass under starry skies, but in Easton ran into dreary reality and pretty damned heavy rainstorm which persisted until well after North Bend.

[Sloshio Path]

Wow, the snow conditions on Smithbrook Rd were arduous with a capital A. Two feet of wet fluff that was difficult to plow through with snowshoes. Some parties this weekend had broken trail to the upper switchback, so we took that route instead of the preferred off-trail snowshoe heaven below the road. Then we slogged our way to the PCT up above Valhalla Lake. Took hours in the heavy snow! Fortunately, some was blown off the ridge to Mt McCausland. Hmmm... shoulda posted this in Tail Retorts, but was thinking of avy conditions and got carried away. Fatigue affecting brain. Legs feel like rubber. Avy conditions reasonable... lots of slides, some over Smithbrook Rd. Looked to be at least before Sunday though. Pretty stable up high. Temps dropping, will probably crust over but that deep springy layer below will sap energy. Not the best conditions but hope you have fun anyway.

[Scrooge]

That musta been a fun hike. Coming back across Srevens Pass about 2:00pm Sunday, the fog was so thick you couldn't see across the road. Wenatchee had been like Saddle Mtn, cold Saturday, t-shirt weather Sunday. Same deal on flowers: grass flowers and a few buttercups in Moses Coulee, nothing else. Enormous amounts of snow in Snoqualmie Pass going over, but Blewett and the Teanaway might open up pretty early.

[Sloshed]

Hey Scrooge, I forgot to mention that the sun was out! Glorious, wonderful sun. Well, the clouds stopped by a few times to say hi, and obscured Glass Ear Pika (el. 10.6k') from view for a spell. But the mighty volcano showed her face before we left the summit. Sure beat Sunday's whiteout conditions down by Mt Reindeer on Mutton Mt. Hmmm. I detect an "animal" weekend... sure beats that lame geometry weekend of a week ago. BTW, although avy conditions were ok on our route, Steve's Pass had a couple 'lanches on the road as we skedaddled homebound. They were cleaning one that spread a foot-deep across the highway as we passed by about 5:45pm. Beeee carful! If not carful (which saves gas), be careful (which saves lives).

[mtnrider]

Has anyone seen the first trillium yet? I keep track every year here in the lowlands near Arlington. Nothing yet and several weeks later than usual.

[Mike Collins]

Haven't seen the first trillium but saw the first hummingbird this morning. Scunk cabbage is out also. I look for the swallows also as a sign of spring.