Getting to the trailhead required some creative driving on a road that had just been opened. And the kids wonder why I still have chains and a shovel in the trunk.

There might have been flowers. I don't know. There was too much snow.

There might have been a trail. I do know because I'd been here before, but there was little chance we could follow it because... you know... snow. But that's the beauty of snow, we didn't have to follow a trail.

We climbed to the ridge and followed it up to a false summit. On the other side it was gnarly with rock hard snow. Good thing we were prepared. Crampons and ice axes. Oh, did I mention this was the boy's new axe's inaugural adventure? Cuz it was. (What else was I supposed to get him for his 14th birthday?)

Standing on the actual summit we enjoyed the gray clouds that surrounded us before descending the slope. (We did stay long enough to have some brownies, but after they were gone, what's the point?)

Half way down it started snowing. Hard. More like winter snow. It was wonderful. Unlike on the summit, we sat down and chilled in the midst of the storm. Did I mention it was wonderful?

Also: No pain! Onward and upward!