At night it's a different matter, though. We drove through the pounding storm... er... lightly falling snow to the empty trailhead. According to the sensationalist television media the very existence of the Pass was at stake, but the storm was about a day late. The only action at the trailhead was the flashing red lights on the security cameras.

Gregg and I suited up and Tokul sprang out of the truck. In vain I scanned the trailhead sign for a "found camera" notice, but nothing. Truly, my camera is gone forever.

The walk to the Pond was quick. It's barely three quarters of a flat mile to the pond and the snow was packed solid thanks to about a week of rain. At the lake we continued around on the loop trail. The light snow stopped falling and a penninsula extending into the pond beckoned.

I broke out the hot chocolate and spiking agent and we both started playing with cameras. I started with the usual long exposure. Then we started writing with headlamps. The final component was using Gregg's camera to flash the subject. It took a few tries to get it right, but voila! Masterpieces.

We packed up and continued around the lake. Back at the car Tokul crashed out. I drove back along the now-bare parking area in one last attempt to find some trace of my camera. In retrospect, it would be the absolute worst outcome. If I didn't find it I could at least think that the camera was having a good life with someone else. Crushed and soaked I could bury it, but that's about it. I didn't see it so clearly it's gone on to a new life.

This was a hike so here are the stats: 2.25 miles and 50 feet of gain. Cool pictures, though.