We started the day near Mammoth, but overnight it was 28 degrees and clear. We thought it would be a good idea to let things warm up a little before hitting the trail. The coffee shop was warm and cozy, but the snow started to come down. hmmm, That's not in the forecast. We bundled up and headed to the trailhead.
The trail began with a little snow cover, which made route-finding challenging, but soon we picked up a lone set of footprints. As long as the track didn't lead us to the precipice, that should be ok!
There was such an awe and amazement of the grandness and beauty of the mountains, dusted in fresh snow. The light and clouds changed continuously, providing a little better image at each turn in the trail. The amazement and excitement are frequently met with the disappointment that the photos "don't do it justice"- but how could they? It's not just the 2 dimensions that bring the place alive- it's the exertion of climbing the trail, the smell of the forest, the cold wind in our face, even the sounds of the ravens mocking us on our exploration. Ginger playing and zooming around illustrate that even the canine can enjoy the experience. I suppose that If I can bring just a little of the feeling back, maybe as a memory for myself, or an image to bring back a memory for someone else- That would be great.
Mammoth Crest, Crystal Lake trail
Crystal Lake trail, Mammoth crest