Lots of snow still on the mountains in the Los Padres National Forest in May. This was our first hike in snow and using micro spikes. It was so fun! At dawn, Stacy, my hiking buddy, and I rolled up to the parking lot at the Mount Pinos Nordic Base, deserted except one vehicle. Our plan was to summit Mt. Pinos as part of the 3-2-1 challenge. The 3-2-1 challenge is promoted by the Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce consisting of 3 peaks (Mount Pinos 8,848 ft (Ventura County); Sawmill 8,818 ft (Kern County); Grouse 8,583 ft (Kern County)), 2 counties, 1 day. The sky was a brilliant blue. The ground was bright white. It was a beautiful trail. We found Mt. Pinos easily. Our tracks were the only ones when we got onto Tumamail Trail to Sawmill except for very large bear tracks that dissected the trail. The sight of the tracks made our hearts skip a bit but it was so cool to see bear tracks so clearly. After summiting Sawmill, we realized a storm had rolled in around us. The clear skies just above us quickly became dark grey; the wind had whipped up. We decided to abandon Grouse and head back. Hiking in the snow took longer. Just after getting off the mountain, the clouds released a ton of hail. Hail stings as it hits the skin. We had made the right decision. We will be back to do the 3-2-1 challenge. Plus, it was incredibly beautiful! 8 miles, up-and-back.