Pam, Heidi and I were the early and late crew. We arrived at MTTA's office at 9:15 so Pam could be photographed with some matching donation checks from Russell or volunteer hours and cash donations. We were surprised that she wanted to head to the cabin with us and intrigues when she explained a shorter trip via the 45 road.
The benefit was a reduction of 2 miles and 400 feet of elevation with out heavy packs so we were in. We
blasted up the hill in a mix of rain and then some snow and emptied our packs of weekend food and drink supplies and headed back to the car for a drive to the snopark to catch the other group and take some weight from them.
We made the trailhead at 1:06 and were walking on bare ground for more than a mile. We were about 2 miles in before we put on our snowshoes. There was tracks ahead so we kept a quick pace figuring that with heavy packs we would overcome the big group along the way. After the junction with the 45 road there was fresh grooming so it was easier to see how far ahead the last of the group were.
We didn't seem to be picking up much time on them, but we plugged along. I finally caught up to Renee and Briana right at the top of the hill at the cabin, but only because they stopped for a picture. Pam and I made the 4.3 mile distance in 1:45 which is a personal best and were surprised to see Judy still hanging around.
Judy pointed out a couple of small projects we could do if we had the time to make the Ski Patrol quarters more comfortable. We got out of our wet stuff and began snacking. There might have been a little drinking going on as well. I started our dinner a little later when words were beginning to be slurred.
After dinner we had a good, loud round of Cards Against Humanity which lives up to its name and is well worth the carry weight to bring along. The game continued until we were seriously losing focus and some of the participants to bed.
The next morning I was up making coffee in 3 different vessels which works great for bringing the group back to lucidity. 6 or 7 pots of coffee and a HUGE batch of pancakes from Mary and Brenda along with some duck eggs from Tami's duck(s) and we were fed and ready for some fun.
We started with a group of 9 to head towards Puyallup Ridge Lookout. We didn't expect to make the distance - 12 miles round trip - but we did want to get some time on the untouched snow. We took turns breaking trail for a little under a mile before we had 3 turn around leaving 6 of us to see what we could do.
As we stomped along the snow was deeper and deeper. We would lead for 100 steps or so and the drop to the back and cycle back through. With 6 people it goes along pretty well. The last 2 spots in line are basically a free ride and then you pack a little more as you move to the front.
We were determined to get at least 2 miles out and it didn't surprise me even a little bit that the last part of that would be deep snow on the steepest grade we had been on yet. Mary muscled up said hill and then gave way to me for the final 50 or 60 steps to get our mileage in.
We headed back in our well packed rut making the return trip fast and easy. Along the way we ran into Dave on the Snocat groomer so we got an even easier walk for a while. As we neared the junction for Cal's trail which leads back to the cabin when we encountered Renee and Briana making a snowman in a clearing.
Back at the cabin the snacking and lunching continued. After a while dinner cooking began while Pam took a smaller group around for a quick snowshoe which included another snowperson that we would find in the morning on our way out.
After dinner we settled into a game of Tell Me Something Good which I refuse to describe except to say that a good time was had by all and what happens at Copper Creek Cabin stays at Copper Creek Cabin.
Morning was a little later Sunday but even more coffee was necessary after 2 days of fun. We ate the leftover pancakes and most of the bagels that Renee and Briana brought up. Along the way we began packing and cleaning. At some point the weather cleared but not until it gave us some perfect light for shooting pictures. Then Mt. Rainier poked her head out for a picture before socking back in with clouds.
There was trail breaking almost all the way down and now there was snow to snowshoe in almost all the way to the snopark. We arrived to find a little snow on our cars, but no need to dig out as Pam, Garry and I had to do a year before.
These trips can be like herding cats getting them planned and organized, but they always end up being an absolute blast. It doesn't seem to matter who the moving parts are the mix always works. That is our last planned overnight trip this year to the MTTA cabins, but maybe we can sneak something else in somewhere before it's too late.
The cabinets were moved thanks to Gary's help and it was a major space improvement in the Ski Patrol area which will lead to something cool I'm sure.
Be very well and more soon....
I was led to your blog by a trail report you did on the Lower Big Quilcene on the wta site, and now I'm hooked on reading all of these reports! Thanks for doing this. This one made us want to take up snowshoeing. Love the pics.
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