"We arrived at an empty Barclay Lake Trailhead at 6:30 on Saturday morning. A few inches of snow had been rutted out for the last mile of the road. Microspikes were helpful from the get go on the mostly snowy-covered trail. About 4 inches of ice covered most of Barclay Lake. Maverick was a little spooked by the creaking ice as we watched Mount Baring emerge from the fog. I was surprised to stumble upon a group of 4 camping at one of the larger sites along the shore. I exchanged pleasantries with the only awake camper before continuing up the trail. A bootpath to Eagle Lake picks up at the end of the official trail however a few inches of snow made it hard to find, so we turned North when the trail disappeared then made our way through trees and talus on the East of the main drainage from Stone Lake. As we climbed, alpenglow dawned on Baring and Grotto Mountain rose into view, a crescent moon above it. We bushwhacked through snowy brush and over tons of downed trees before finding relief in a few talus fields with just enough snow to allow safe travel for Maverick. Part of Merchant Peak and Mount Townsend poked over the trees before we reached Stone Lake. 2-3 feet of snow cove..." — Jeb • Jan 4, 2014