We were able to reach a high point on the ridge where we could see the blocky summit, but had to turn around when it became obvious we couldn't reach it from where we were. We took a couple of quick photos as the wind battered us, before very carefully retreating down the steep snow-covered slopes and heading back to the trailhead.
Two weeks later, Laura and I made a second attempt under more favorable conditions. This time we could actually see the mountain as we approached, making it much easier to pick out a suitable route.
We left the Odessa Lake Trail at a much earlier point and snowshoed through the woods towards the base of the mountain. As Laura led the way, I noticed some interesting tracks in the snow, and stopped to take a closer look. I followed them to a packed down area that had some unusual poo.
Puzzled, I called Laura back to help me figure out what animal had left these clues. After a minute of reciting all the things it wasn't, we looked up in the tree above us, and saw what it was. A porcupine!!! Happily sleeping off a meal of woody delights.
It wasn't the elusive lynx Aaron always hopes to see, but it was thrilling nonetheless. Whenever we stop to eat or take a moment to catch our breath, I always look up at the trees hoping to catch a snoozing pork; thinking to myself, "this is a good tree for a nap." But I had never see one above me until now!!
After a few photos we continued on, zig-zagging our way up to a small saddle on the ridge. Once at the saddle, we were only a couple of hundred feet below the summit, and pretty soon we had reached the top:
The views from the top were ridiculous. We could see Odessa Lake below, with The Gable rising above it; plus Castle Rock, Gabletop Mountain, and Stones Peak to the north.
After some pictures, we made our way to the true summit and found a register in an old salsa jar. We were the first people to have signed it in over two months!
The view to the west wasn't as good, as Notchtop and Flattop were covered in fast moving clouds, but we had a great view of Longs Peak to the south as we headed back down:
In an attempt to escape the wind, we ate lunch a little below the summit and then quickly made our way down the mountain.
We passed the porcupine again as we headed down. He was still snoozing in the same tree, but had moved to a higher branch. Soon we were back on the trail which was in much better condition, as plenty of people had packed it down since we passed earlier. Oddly, we saw only two other people until we got near the parking lot.
It was a perfect day for a snowshoe, though it was too bad Aaron couldn't make it this time. Weather permitting, we'd gladly do this hike again. It's relatively easy for a summer hike, but makes for a great winter adventure.
