Copper Creek Hut Winter Hike/Snowshoe

Today, we drove up to Ashford to hike/snowshoe up to Copper Creek Hut and back on the Mount Tahoma Trail Assoc groomed trails. We were able to drive up to the lower SnoPark lot at about 3,200 ft. Our hike was 9 miles round trip with 1000 ft of elevation gain.

The lower section had a thin layer of compact icy snow, so we started out with our microspikes on and carried our snowshoes.     We found the entire length of the trail well packed, so carried our snowshoes the entire way up. Then opted to wear our snowshoes on the way back for a good workout.

 There are lots of beautiful trees along the way.

















The snow got deeper as we gained elevation, but the trail was well groomed, so we didn't post hole.

Occasionally, we had views to the south along the way.

 We saw lots of rabbit tracks.

 Although it was cloudy with a few snow flurries, we loved the snowy forest.

 Copper Creek Hut, on a clear day, I hear there are good views of Mt Rainier.

 We did have views to the south across the Ashford Valley.

 view to the southwest.

 some snowy trees that caught my fancy today: