Trip Report: Snow Wheeling Feb 17, 2014

[Nobody]

We're finally getting some snow! Monday was the first chance I had to get out. We initially got shut down from the upper mountain due to a road building operation, but we just weren't finding enough snow.


We decided to back track and try to sneak through the site. We had to hit the ditch a few times to get around dump trucks Hopefully they didn't get too irritated with us.

Busting apart a massive boulder. I think to use for road base.


Pretty much just hauled ass up the mountain. This is a long video. I don't really have the time to do much creative editing. The first part heading up the mountain was fun!


It was snowing and blowing most of the day.




Since we were all a little short on time, we decided to throw on the snowshoes for the last leg.








On the way down we had to pass back through the road construction site, which was now a big gnarly mess of mud and rock. What better time and place to lose a bead?


I thought the dozer was coming up to push me off the road. Luckily they liked Fords Seated the bead and got the hell out of there. First blown bead I've had in ages. Wasn't even in the snow!


Photo Gallery http://www.snowtrek.org/snow-wheeling-2 ... eeling.php

[SnowPhoto]

A pretty good trip! Not much to add, except a few pictures...






























Adding some more shortly...

[Nobody]

Those birds were beautiful. That was the first time I had seen them. I think they are the White-Tailed Ptarmigan, aka Snow Quail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_Ptarmigan

The White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the Snow Quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse family. It is a permanent resident of high altitudes on or above the tree line and is native to Alaska and the mountainous parts of Canada and the western United States. It has also been introduced into the Sierra Nevada in California, the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon and the Uinta Mountains in Utah. Its plumage is cryptic and varies at different times of the year. In the summer it is speckled in gray, brown and white whereas in winter it is wholly white. At all times of year the wings, belly and tail are white

[Chris Immer]

That looks a lot like where Dion and I where. You Just got a lot more snow! Need to get back up there!

[KS4runner]

I need to go to places like this.. Looks so cool in those big open areas !

[SnowPhoto]

Agreed. I thought it was some kind of grouse :)

Just about to post a couple more pictures...

- Matt

[SnowPhoto]

[n16ht5]

Nice shots of the ptarmigan, and in general/. Want to head up this coming Monday???

[Nobody]

Nice shots of the ptarmigan, and in general/. Want to head up this coming Monday???

Gotta work on Monday

I might be able to get out Sunday, but this is the last weekend of The Great Northwest Glass Quest and we haven't found one yet. If we find one Saturday, then I think I can probably go Sunday.

[Baller]

Great pics.

[Nobody]

Kids are always welcome, but some trips like this one there isn't much stop and play time. I'd like to get my kids out soon, but I prefer nice weather when I take them. Sunday is very very tentative for me, but I can let you know. I almost always decide at the last minute, usually based on conditions. We're finally getting snow! This was our typical November conditions!

[Chris Immer]

I am available for a Monday run. Let me know if ya wanna go?

[n16ht5]

I would be bringing my 1 1/2 yo daughter, so kids are a must. A lot of stopping to play required :) I'll ask if we can go sunday

[Baller]

I would be bringing my 1 1/2 yo daughter, so kids are a must. A lot of stopping to play required :) I'll ask if we can go sunday

I'm all for a fun, kids are welcome, run. My boy is down if it's just riding in the Jeep. If we're going to get out and play a decent amount, a few of my girls, 4 and 8yo, may also want to come along. Let me know.

Baller

[Baller]

I've got the OK for a snow wheeling trip on Sun. Let me know what people have in mind as far as time and place.