Took advantage of a break in all the wet weather we have had to get out for a snowshoe. I followed the standard route up to the meadow below Barlow Ridge. This route has several good view spot of Mt. Hood.
First time to be the only car in the parking lot.
Trailhead for Barlow Butte Trail.
Heading through the woods on the trail.
Trail Junction with Devils Half Acre Trail
Some of the trail is melted out at the junction sign.
Not many folks have passed this way.
Bridge over creek.
The creek has melted a path through the snow.
Heading up Barlow Butte trail
Junction with Barlow Butte and Mineral Jane Ski Trail
I tried to make it up to the clear cut view spot but the snow was to deep.
Heading down Mineral Jane Trail to connect with the forest service road.
Heading up the Forest Service Road.
First good view of Mt. Hood.
On the Forest Service Road.
Looking back on the trail and Mt. Hood.
Lots of snowballs along the side of the trail but not enough snow mass to be a problem.
This route has lots of great views of Mt Hood as it climbs.
The track ended and the fun of breaking trail began.
This is from the best view point on the route.
Time to start breaking trail up the old road to the meadow.
Looking back over track to Bonney Butte.
This is a spring marsh meadow. This is the lower meadow.
The meadow is a spring seepage area. This is one finger.
Looking over the summit meadow to Barlow Ridge.
Heading back on the Forest Service Road. This is the corner where Mazama showshoes turn around.
Back at the view point heading back.
You stay in the middle on this section. One side you get hit by snow the other is a long drop down.
Great views of Hood.
On breaking trail at times I was sinking in about a foot. It was like doing a stair master for a couple of hours.
On coming back I ran into a group heading for the hut. I was able to use their track heading back.
There was two feet a of new snow a couple of days earlier and it made for snowballs.
Yes another photo of Mt. Hood.
Heading back on the road.
Junction with Mineral Jane Trail
Back at the Bridge
More melt at the trail junction with Devels Half Acre.
Only a couple of snow shapes all day.
Of course the trail has to end with an up hill to the parking lot.