![]() ![]() ![]() Then without warning the tracks abruptly ended at the edge of a snowbank and we were looking down on the Stevens Canyon Road (4,828 feet). As the route veered away from the river it became steeper the snow was perfect for snowshoeing. Snowshoe and ski tracks indicated others had started out ahead of us we appreciated not having to set new tracks.Īs we continued through a setting of snowy slopes broken by the graceful shapes of evergreens and occasional grizzled snags, we admired the sinuous curve of the barely discernible Paradise River, bounded by creamy snowbanks. The markers are handy if you’re the first one on the route as the summer trail is buried. 06 mile to the Stevens Canyon Road (Junction: N 46° 46′ 40, W 121° 44′ 22) on the snowshoe route though it felt like more. With so much snow on the ground it’s hard to get a feel for how long a trail is – it’s only about. While it might be tempting to take the shortcut and head straight up the slope, we recommend you don’t. Forecasts of partial sun didn’t materialize it snowed part of the day and Mount Rainier stayed behind the clouds.īefore we started on the trail we looked up to the avalanche slope below the Stevens Canyon Road where the road makes a big switchback. ![]() Seeing the fox made a fine start to the outing though that’s more than we could say for the weather. Their main diet consists of mice and moles they also eat other fruit, frogs, carrion and rabbits. Foxes do most of their hunting between dusk and dawn. Except for females with young, foxes generally sleep outside in a warm spot or south-facing slope and curl up like a domestic pet. Foxes weigh only 10-15 pounds and are smaller than you’d expect their plume-like tails make them look longer. Red foxes (Latin Vulpes vulpes) are usually red but not always – this fox was black with silver trim. We spent a few moments gazing at each other before he trotted into the trees. He (or she?) kept a respectful distance from us but seemed used to humans – he sat down, looked at us, and then loped closer. We expect wildlife to run from us but not this fox. Barely had we turned a corner when we saw the fox. After admiring a stellar jay with fluffed out feathers (he looked like a grumpy old mountaineer in a puffy, blue down jacket) we started out on the designated trail (a safe route marked by poles). ![]() You might luck out as we did and encounter the fox that lives nearby. In early, May icicles festooned the doorway – at this time there’s still 4 – 5 feet of snow on the ground at the trailhead. One plus of starting from the Narada Falls trailhead (4,503 feet) is the heated comfort station ideal this time of year and comfy for changing clothes. With lingering snow and cool temperatures Narada Falls is best left to ice-climbers the waterfall will be at its most spectacular later this season and safe to get to. Paradise seems to be everybody’s favorite, but for those who prefer more solitude, the snowshoe from Narada Falls to Reflection Lake is a little more lonesome.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |