Trailb Log:

Title:	Barlow Pass - Snowshoe
Date:	December 27, 2005 Tuesday	Type:	snow
State:	OR	Near:	Barlow Pass, Mt. Hood
Distance:	Only 4 miles	Time:	Around 2.0 hours

Dying to try out our new snowshoes, Lisa, Mike and I piled into the jeep and decided to head out. The only problem was that the weather had recently warmed and the snow level had risen. Larch Mountain, where we had gone last time, was almost certain to be barren of snow. Therefore we grabbed some guidebooks, the snow chains and headed for Mt. Hood.

To find the trailhead: We had a few places in mind, but they were all low on the mountain and void of snow. Timberline was sure to have fresh powder, but as we approached the road up, there was a long line of vehicles. Several cars had gotten stuck and it was going to take hour to clear the road. We were running out of options, but decided to try going to back side of the mountain. A winter wonderland is what we found!

The hike: At Barlow Pass, just ten miles past the connecting road up to Timberline, the snow was falling in great puffs. Quickly strapping on our snowshoes, we took off down a non-marked, but obvious path. This trail which begins opposite the large wooden Barlow Pass sign, is actually a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail that I had thru hike just a few months prior. I remembered that this section winds down five miles to the next highway and was well marked for snow travel by big blue reflectors high on the trees. In fact, we passed one snow camper/skier who had come up from the other highway the night before. We however, just wanted a short jaunt (and maybe some snowball fighting).

After just about two miles of hoofing through the deep fresh powder, we stopped for lunch. Even with the foul weather, the grey jays began to swarm around us begging for food. Some were even brave enough to take chips directly from my open hand. The snow was in such prime condition, that we could not resist trying to build a snowman. Five feet tall, with a mossy toupee, he felt like a fitting tribute to this brief, but wonderful adventure.

-- toaster