Nope. Nope. Nope.

At least not in the Pacific Northwest. Here, Spring is a long recovery from winter. Sure, there are parts of our diverse state that actually experience a traditional Spring, but not in the mountains. Up here the clouds are omnipresent, there's still feet of snow burying trails, and the flowers are still sleeping.

Case in point: Cave Ridge via the Commonwealth Basin Trail.

The trailhead was under six feet of snow, but many boots before us made it easy to follow a route if not the trail. Well, for a short stretch. As we got further from the trailhead the route became less distinct. Even though we've gone this way many times before we wound up too high and had to descend back to the creek.

Ah, the creek. Long ago it was an actual barrier, but now a couple of logs serve as an easy bridge. High snow banks on either side complicate the crossing, but with some flying snow and kicked steps we made it up. Before we left the creek behind we had to cross a thin snow bridge that most likely didn't make it to the end of the week, but it held enough for us.

Although there's some climbing to get to the creek, the real gain comes between the creek and the saddle. I even busted out my axe for a short stretch in the trees where we traverse across a steep slope nicely iced over.

Near the summit the snow was softer and the rain showers became snow flurries. It's nice to see fresh snow, even at the end of Spring. Winter's snow is dirty and hard, but freshiez remind us of what once was and will be again.

Treen enjoyed a bit of crazy sprinting in circles and chasing snowballs (without catching a single one) and I loved having a dry wool shirt to replace the wet gear I'd worn up. (Thank you, WoolX!)

But don't let it sound like it's all challenge and cold and suffering. Soft snow means big plunge steps on the way down instead of careful foot placement on a rooty trail. Easier on the knees and even if you fall it's cushioned by the snow. When the snow gets harder down lower you can boot ski the steeper sections.

So that's Spring in the PNW mountains. Total blue skies: 0. Total flowers: 0. Average high temperature: 42F. Average snow depth: Three feet. Percent of fun: 85. Likelihood we'll do it again: 100%.