The first winter snow turns the mountain into a magical place. The snow depth ranged from a few inches to a couple feet deep, and with others breaking trail ahead, we were able to do this trail without snowshoes, enjoying the trail before avalanches become a danger. It is truly a different world in the winter. With days so short, we started at first light and got back just before dark.
On this day, we were fortunate to have a window between winter storms the day before and the following days.
The quality of light changes from early morning sun coming through the trees to mid afternoon cloud filtered light on the upper elevation boulder fields.
The boulder field at first snow. After a few more feet of snow, it can be navigated as a winter route.
From the Granite Mountain lookout, the vast expanse of Cascade Mountains revealed in the distance.