Gate Down = Another Way To The Same Point

Pam, Phyllis and I were planning a car to car hike/snowshoe through Van Trump Park to Mildred Point and then Down the other was to the Wonderland Trail and back to Longmire but the NPS had a different idea. When we arrived at Longmire just before 8AM the gate past Longmire was down and the sign said it was closed until noon so we had to adjust.

From Longmire we could go up Eagle Peak or the Rampart Ridge or take the Wonderland Trail to Carter Falls or we could take the Wonderland and the back way to Mildred Point. We opted to do the extra elevation and head to Mildred Point.

 

 

We weren't on the trail long before we were walking in the snow although it was great walking snow with no need for microspikes or snowshoes. At 1.7 miles from Longmire there is a trail junction to the right that heads to Mildred Point. This trail is pretty steady uphill. As we climbed higher we came to a ridge and the trail followed the windy side of the ridge so we were forced to get our gloves back on and layer back up.

At 2.7 miles past the junction there is another junction to Mildred Point on the right. If you continue on you head to Van Trump Park. We headed up the unmaintained Mildred Point Trail and got to a high Meadow where the snow was deeper and the trail was not apparent so we attempted to find the route for a while and then decided to turn back. It was overcast so the view from the overlook would not have been worth the risk.

The snow was great for descending and we were able to run down and made the junction of the Wonderland Trail in about an hour. We finally ran into another hiker about 3/4 of a mile later and then another couple of groups after that.

All in all we managed the 9+ miles and 3443 feet of elevation gain in just under 5 hours including stops. Now we need to hike this in the summer sometime to see the view from the overlook.

Be very well and more soon....