- IMG_1903.JPG (1 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1901.JPG (1.02 MiB) Viewed 300 times
The winds calmed as we rolled Westward, but eventually ended up swirling around and switching direction completely, eventually pushing us the rest of the way into Union Gap:
- IMG_1906.JPG (1.31 MiB) Viewed 300 times
We rolled through Tampico around 0830 and headed for the snow park:
- IMG_1907.JPG (1.13 MiB) Viewed 300 times
After unloading and airing down, we headed up the North Fork in search of snow:
- IMG_1908.JPG (1.98 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1909.JPG (1.74 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1910.JPG (1.21 MiB) Viewed 300 times
By the time we reached the turnoff to Blue Lake, we were in several inches of relatively fresh goodness, so we stopped and swapped our driving slippers for proper snow boots:
- IMG_1913.JPG (1.65 MiB) Viewed 300 times
As we had prior engagements for the evening, we bypassed Blue Lake and instead headed directly up Darland:
- IMG_1915.JPG (1.32 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1916.JPG (1.44 MiB) Viewed 300 times
Conditions outside steadily got worse as we gained elevation, but it was very easy going and we rapidly made our way to the summit to czek out the nonexistent view. The updated summit sign is pretty cool though
- IMG_1918.JPG (1.61 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1920.JPG (979.41 KiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1922.JPG (971.96 KiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1923.JPG (2.01 MiB) Viewed 300 times
We played around a bit at the burnt out area just South of the summit, and then beat feet downhill for lunch:
- IMG_1927.JPG (1.2 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1930.JPG (1.06 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1931.JPG (1.16 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1933.JPG (988.82 KiB) Viewed 300 times
Shortly after 1100hrs, we found ourselves at Tree Phones where OG knocked it out of the park with pulled pork burritos:
- IMG_1938.JPG (1.58 MiB) Viewed 300 times
- IMG_1939.JPG (1.43 MiB) Viewed 300 times
Bellies full and with deadlines looming, we begrudgingly continued the journey back down to the snowpark to air up, load up, and make the trip back home:
- IMG_1941.JPG (2.08 MiB) Viewed 300 times
Albeit brief, the Darland loop had been good fun and it was nice to see the early snowpack starting to accumulate at higher elevation. Hopefully much, much more to come
