It's an awesome start to 2018 - sunny skies (a few clouds) and temperature near 40 degrees in the valley. I'm heading up into the mountains this morning to enjoy the sunny crisp mountain air.
Hike the Mill D South (Cardiff Fork) trail starting at about 7700ft. My plan is just to hike out to the meadow which is around 1 mile (plus an additional 1/2 mile to walk from the road to the trail) one-way. (This is my normal stopping point in the winter.)
A cool 23 degrees when I arrive around 9am. I'm the 3rd car in parking lot this morning so I should have the trail to myself.
The sun is just over some of the peaks as I start up the road. Crossing the bridge, there are nice views to the west
and to the east!
The trail is all packed snow so it's easy going.
The sunny portion of the trail doesn't last very long - the sun is just not high enough yet. But the walk is cool, quiet and wonderful. We may have only 15% of the snow we're supposed to have this winter but it's still looking (and feeling) like winter.
I near/pass Reynolds Peak
and soon arrive at the actual trail head.
I cross the bridge over the creek
and start the uphill climb through the pine trees.
The creek running along side of the road is snow covered and quiet in all but a few spots where I can see or hear running water.
Along the way I find little snow balls on steeper slopes and the remnants of a large pine cone food cache.
Soon I reach the north edge of the meadow. Look awesome (except there's a cloud over the sun).
I continue up the trail hoping the cloud moves off but despite the wind, the cloud is not moving. I reach my turn around point and start returning.
At one point, I stop as it appears the cloud is moving but after 5 minutes still no sunlight. :(
Oh, while I was waiting I hear little chirps behind me. There's at least one little bird flitting among the pine branches. He's too fast for me to keep up.
Heading down.
I reach the trail head again and then continue back to the road enjoying the many sunny views!
A great start to 2018!! (Now, we just needs tons of snow to fall and soon!!)
