Cold. Icy. Muddy. Slushy. It was great.

Trail was very slippery at times and I was glad I had some good waterproof boots on. My tennis shoes would have made this hike uncomfortable to say the least. Using my walking stick made the slippery and icy parts easier to pass.

There are lots of big big big mountain lion tracks all over the snow so I made it a point to talk loudly to myself periodically in hope of not attracting any. There weren’t very many other hikers there at all when I started- around 730.

Weather on top of the mountain was cold and very windy. View was perfect. Clear skies and 2-8 inches of snow everywhere. Whoever made the snowman, thank you. It was my only companion at the top.

I took the Five Oaks trail on the way down and that was a little muddier so if your going in the next couple days, wear some good boots.

Left before sunrise, home by lunch time. Beautiful day!