The hike was absolutely gorgeous.  But let me back up a few hours and start at the beginning....

It started snowing on the drive out towards the coast, and we were in a minivan. Luckily we had chains, so as we got higher into the mountains and the roads got icier, we pulled over at a gas station to put them on.  Well, the driver (Michael) pulled over and the boys (Michael and Todd) put on the chains.  So, after we were all situated, off we went. We turned off the highway onto a park road and went about 7 miles to the trail head.  The park road wasn't plowed and it appeared as though we were the first there this AM, so it was up to us and our minivan to break trail and lay the tracks!

Shortly after we got there, a lady named Wendy who lives on the coast arrived, followed by Joe and Beth. They had come to tell us that the hike had been canceled.  Apparently the rest of the crew had gotten stuck at the tunnel a few miles back due to a bad accident.  Well, we had already made it out there, so we decided to go for our hike anyway.  As far as we were concerned, the hard part was over!

The skies were blue and clear, and the hike was steep and covered in snow! It was about a foot deep in most places.  The views were absolutely stunning.  There were a few points on the trail where you got a good view of the valley below:  a smattering of treetops dusted with snow and tree branches definitively outlined in white.  It was such a great day for a snow hike!

It was supposed to be about a 5 mi hike but it ended up being about a 4 mi hike.  Not too far in distance but the elevation gain was substantial, making the trail steep in a few spots.  The trail had begun to wash away, so there were areas that had been rebuilt with rocks and caging holding it all together.  I think the snow and ice actually helped hold it all together. 

We stopped on our way down from the top and had a quick lunch at a picnic table....one thing you learn is that when you are hiking in the cold, as soon as you stop you get really cold. Or at least i do.  So, it was on with the thick, puffy down jacket to keep warm while we ate.  

The hike back was relatively easy; though slippery in some spots, it was mostly cushioned by the powder.  This was a hike that I truly enjoyed!