We knew when we planned this hike that there would be rain and we were ready. A group of 5 of us started out at the Bald Mtn. Trailhead at about 8:30 am and the weather was fine — chilly, but not even sprinkling. The trail was well maintained, the waterways were still plenty full and beautiful to cross. By the time we arrived at the Guadalupe Creek Overlook the clouds were starting to roll in. The view wasn't yet completely obscured, but we couldn't see as far as one normally would. Not even a mile further up and we started to get some flakes of snow. As we climbed the snow got gradually heavier until by the time we summited the top the flurries were so heavy that we couldn't see the cube until we were practically right next to it! Forget the views, we'll have to go back another day for those!

We had brought some sandwiches to eat at the top, but once we stopped hiking it was so wet and cold that none of us wanted to stay still long enough to eat. So we took a short bathroom and snack break (thank goodness for the maintained restrooms!) and headed back down. About halfway down the trail, the snow turned to rain. As I said at the top, we had been prepared for rain, but we weren't prepared for just how cold it was. By the time we got back to the Bald Mtn. parking lot we were all shivering drowned rats!

All that said, I wouldn't have it any other way. The snow was a delightful surprise, especially for this Nor Cal girl who has lived the past 25 years in L.A. It felt so good to be caught by surprise with the weather for once! My brother and I are taking the Six Pack Challenge for the first time, and this was an epic hike to begin with.