Hike Log
The calm after the storm
Trailhead
Upper
Type of hike
Day hike
Trail conditions
Trail in good condition
Road
Road suitable for all vehicles
Bugs
No Bugs
Snow
Snow free
Also on this hike
It was snowing as I drove through the Santiam Pass area on the way down, but I decided to hope for the best and I was richly rewarded for sticking with my plan. It was chilly enough at the summit to put on my puffy, but warm enough to shed it as I headed back down. The beautiful clouds seemed to embrace the surrounding mountains but didn’t hide them entirely from view. The trees at the summit had skirts of ice, remnants of the storm the night before, while the wildflowers, butterflies, and little Western Fence lizards soaked up the afternoon sun.
I had to stop just shy of the top (starting from the Historic TH) on Jan 26 due to concerns related to the snow depth. It was a very different kind of beautiful yesterday!