Walking up to the Cardiff Fork meadow (around 1 - 1.5 miles). Figuring most of the snow should be packed down by snowshoes and x-country skis but now, so I'm just wearing my boots.
Sunny morning and crisp - 19 degrees at the trail head (~7200 ft).
I cross the little bridge (and a small stream). The stream is open with lovely views on the west side.
And east side.
I head up the plowed, but still snow covered road. In the summer, this road is open to cars but now, only local residents can get thru. It adds about 1 miles round-trip to the the hike.
There were flurries yesterday that didn't stick in the valley but they did here covering the branching and dead plant stalks/seed heads with about a 1/2 inch of snow. Extremely pretty! Especially as the snow falls from the trees in the breeze.
Mt Reynolds is looking lovely this morning.
I arrive at the actual trail head. As expected, the snow is packed from the skis. But it is still soft in spots making walking a little more difficult than clear ground.
I cross the creek.
And then start heading up the hill thru the conifer forest.
The creek that winds alongside the trail is invisible - covered in snow. I actually can not even hear it except in one spot where it is visible only for a moment.
I can hear birds chirping this morning. There at least some Chickadees. But I do not see them.
Soon I can see an opening coming -- it's the meadow!
As I continue further to get some better views, there are mini snowballs that have rolls down the steep mountain side.
I step off the packed snow a few times to take some pictures - there's about 18 inches of light fluffy snow off the beaten path.
Boy do I love this place in the winter!!
There's a couple of snow trails coming down from the mountains to the east to the creek. Think those are deer/moose trails.
After a bit, it's time to start back down.
Wonderful day!
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