There is nothing like spending the first day of a new year with good friends. Maddy and I spent yesterday with Sarbar, Hoosierdaddy, Trailhead and Catzia. Hiking. In the snow!   This is a great trail to hit if you want to avoid avalanche danger. Carbon River at Mount Rainier. A truely beautiful place.

Despite promises of little snow, the snow level was down to about 800 feet. Hoosierdaddy had never seen the Carbon River area before, so he was in for a treat. He was NOT liking the rickety old railroad bridge that we had to cross on the way there, but he was nice enough to drive all of us to and from the trailhead. Trailhead herself met us there.

 

Yes, I took a jogging stroller out in the snow. LOL. It was harder than I thought it was going to be; only because the snow was deeper than I anticipated. BUT it CAN be done! Next time I'll bring the toboggan. Man are my calfs sore today, and I didn't even do most of the pushing! I was fighting off a nasty cold... My hiking friends took pity on me.

 

The ladies got a chance to chat and gossip. It was good to see everyone. The trees here are huge and draped with moss. Very pretty and peaceful. Snow was melting and dropping on us from above, often down the backs of our jackets. Eeek!   There were a few downed trees from recent winds, but nothing non-negotiable. The path was nice and wide and flat, with a gently grade.

 

We turned around when the snow got too deep to push the stroller through; about 3 miles in. The Madster was sleeping, so we had a quick lunch before turning back. Mine was a rice, sundried tomato and mushroom dish.

Here I am with my custom freezerbag cozy:

There were little pools of dark water all along the trail. These are going to make nice little swimming holes in the summer. Or mosquito breeding grounds.

We stopped in Enumclaw on the way home and stuffed our faces with beer and greasy food at Krain's Korner before heading home.