Write-up: Jerry Stewart
Leader: Jerry Stewart
Co-Leader: Walt Pillar

Today was my turn to be hike leader. Lori and I had scouted the hike 2 months ago.
We checked the trail conditions again last Sunday and today 17 Tramps signed in for the hike.

With varying amounts of snow on the trail, and overcast skies, off we went. Getting to the start of the trail there was a light fog from the snow. With snowshoes on for most, off we went.


Nice scenery along the trail and of course, great conversations. Two miles down the trail we got to the hill portion of the Wickwire hill adventure. Scouting it on the way we discovered a handicap sign, could this be an unknown easy route up? Being an adventurous bunch we decided to explore. Let me say that no man in a wheelchair ever reached the top of that under their own power. The route we ended up taking was mountain goat-worthy and how I wasn’t left tied to a tree up there is a mystery to me!

We did, of course, reach the destination. Sadly the fog hadn’t lifted so the only scenery we took in was of whatever was within 100 yards of us. Snack break and back on the move. I took them down where I had been before, much better route for all but Mary Pat who got caught in a hollow snowbank and sucked in.

No harm, a few laughs and headed back to the cars. About 5 1/2 miles total, the sun made an appearance and most of the happy crew stopped for a well-deserved beverage of choice. With Spring comes many more hikes on the schedule. So if skiing and snow shoeing isn’t your thing, this is were you can jump in and join in the adventures. Hop out of that easy chair, set down that lawn rake for a few hours and see what you’ve been missing out on. See you on the trail!

Jim Wazielewski:
To wear snowshoes or not wear snowshoes, that is the question. And the answer was yes. Some wore snowshoes, some wore snowshoes some of the time and some didn’t wear snowshoes. Some post-holed and got stuck in the snow. However all survived the 5-mile hike.

Thanks to Jerry and Walt for a good hike on a snowy, muddy and slushy trail and bushwhack.