Arrived to an empty AMR parking lot at 5:45 AM
Our plan was to be leaving the truck at 6:15 AM so we were ahead of schedule.
The original forecast called for decreasing temps and clearing skies.
It was in the low 40s when we started with a light misting rain requiring us to wear our rain shells.
Surface times were cold enough that the road leading to the lodge was a slippery black ice mess.
From the trail head Lake Road was hard packed ice and snow so we began to bare boot to the Leach trail intersection. It was becoming an icy slushy mess so we added micro spikes, but at about 200 yards in we were giving up so much energy we elected to switch to snow shoes to protect the trail surface despite they’re being barely <5” snow cover in the woods. The need for snow shoes and the use of heel lift increased as we ascended. The ceaseless misting rain switching back-and-forth between larger more prominent raindrops thoroughly saturated us by the time we reached Bear Den, making me thankful for the extra layers and weight I was carrying. Climbing to Dial the temperature never dropped below the high 30’s making layering and moisture management a challenge.
The skies never did clear out as we reached the junction of Elk Pass and Nipple Top. We dropped packs and made our way to the summit, around noon.. while we remained socked in, I could see in my mind what would be a spectacular view of the Elk Lake region and surrounding prominences. After a quick bite to eat at the intersection we began our butt sliding down Elk Pass, the snow not ideal but still made for quick descent. We continued until we rejoined Gill Brook opting for the cut off back to Lake Road for a quicker walk out. At the cut off and Lake Road intersection the sky had began to clear and temperatures dropped rapidly into the 20s causing everything that was wet to freeze solid zippers included. We buttoned up and got hustling returning to the parking lot and an ice encased truck about 3:45 PM