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(And I didn't really have to go anywhere for snow. After all, we're in the middle of WINTER BLAST, though we only see the occasional flurry. (Or at least we did until I sat down to write this. Now it's really coming down heavily.))
So after a quick delay during which I scared the bejeezus out of Amy by opening the garage door without warning her I was back Tokul and I were off. The snow wasn't sticking much at our house, but by the time I got four miles up the road there were a couple of inches on the ground. By the time I got to the access road for Humpback Mountain there was about two feet on the ground.
To my surprise, the Hansen Creek road was plowed and in great shape. I made great time following the South Fork west until turning south to follow Hansen Creek. The road climbed pretty steadily, but the truck had little trouble. When we got to the logging/mining road that was part of the route I backed up to get off the road and... lost traction. After a bunch of rocking and more sliding backward I figured it was time for the chains (See? Good thing I went back, huh?) and lugged them out of the front seat.
Our chains aren't those wussy cable "chains" you buy in bulk. These are honest-to-goodness chains that you wrap around the tires. Never having put them on I had quite a bit of fun complete with fun-style phrases not suitable for a family site. However, I did eventually succeed and henceforth had super-traction.
After I had pulled off the road the plow came by. I flagged him down and asked him what the heck he was doing. Apparently the Forest Service decided they needed to plow the road since they were selling Christmas tree permits. Sounds like a prudent use of my tax money. (If I find out any of my NW Forest Pass money is going to such a fanciful idea there will be trouble.)
With the snow pounding down Tokul and I were finally off. The snow was dry (for the Cascades, anyway) and deep. Tokul was essentially plowing the trail with her chest. At least when she wasn't trying to jump over the snow. Too bad gravity had something to say about that or she'd have had a great day.
As it was, both of us tired quickly. When Tokul broke trail it wasn't too bad for me, but she couldn't keep that up. Plus her track tended to wander back and forth across the road as she investigated this and that. I suppose I walked in her footsteps about half the time she was leading. When I broke trail Tokul took great delight in stepping on the back of my snowshoes.
It took us fully an hour to get to where the summer trail began. (One whopping mile and 450 feet of gain.) A shovel handle stuck out of the snow apparently marking the trail, but the I couldn't find any sign of it. Although I had thought to make an attempt on the summit it was clear I'd get there at dark if not a little after. Much better to call this a scouting mission and so we turned to head back.
Of course, that's when I saw the flagging marking the real trail. Curiosity got the better of me so we climbed up a short way, but just far enough to discover the snow under the trees was far firmer and we'd make much better time there. However, since we were still about 1800 feet (in just a mile!) below the summit the thought never seriously crossed my mind.
The trip back was easy and quick. I stopped a bunch to take pictures of Tokul and the semi-visible trees and hills, but the continuing snow obscurred just about everything. Back at the car I we jumped in and tried to warm up. The easy walk downhill allowed the chill to penetrate the goretex, fleece, and turtleneck (mock only, thpth), but the heater in the truck did its job admirably.
The drive down the hill was at times a little freaky (ABS on snow with chains doesn't fill one with confidence when there's a sweet drop-off) and annoying (how many times do you have to tighten these dang chains?). Once I got onto the level I dropped the chains and we were soon back on the freeway.
Assuming they continue plowing that road Humpback is going to stick in my head. Low avy danger and close to home (just 10 miles as the unladen swallow flies) and now that I know how to use the chains it'll only take me a few extra minutes. Probably more than four hours, though, especially with all those cookies Clara's baking.
