Snakes and snow. Enjoyed coastal desert-like hike in the morning (Slide Mountain) followed by a snowy Sawmill sunset.

The road to Nordic Station parking lot was dry and easy, but plowed snow banks are over 6’ at times with a tall “NO PA…” (parking) sign almost completely buried. The road was clear but as snow begins to melt watch for black ice in mornings.

The trail, though, is almost 100% covered in snow mostly 3’ deep. A few rare lower and bare spots here and there, with the largest being the Sawmill Mountain summit area, a nice place to relax and eat without freezing your boots. Mount Pinos also had a few bare spots.

We started after 3:30 PM and microspikes were adequate even in afternoon slushiness. However as snow melts more, snowshoes will be much easier especially in the afternoons. That sweet spot with firm snow (between fresh snow and snowmelt) is ending.

If you are unfamiliar with the trail and area then make sure to have route guidance or GPS. Or wait a month. There are very few tracks after Mount Pinos and switchbacks aren’t visible or broken in yet. But being 3’ of snow, you can B-Line to Sawmill and still tread lightly.