Wanted to see how far I could get before the snow turned me back... well the answer is about 800m elevation... at this point I was slogging through knee deep or deeper snow but I was determined to get to the lookout, so I just pushed on.

Trail conditions: Lower trail is free and clear of snow until you are about 30 minutes up the Alouette / Evan's Peak cut up off of the Viewpoint trail... about 1/3 of the way to the lookout the trail conditions turn nasty... thickly ice crusted snow... I was even having trouble kicking in steps.. could only get in a couple centimeters.. and the trail is very steep here so very sketchy... hike at your own risk here... once you get through this.. about 600m up you get into snow.. and it gets deep quickly... I would say the last 150m of gain to the lookout was accomplished by sheer determination bushwacking through 24-36" deep snow.

Aside: Snowshoes have been ordered! Can't wait.

I did not see anyone on the trail.. I was the only one in the parking lot... and Golden Ears is pretty vacant off summer regardless... if I had snowshoes and a touch more daylight I would have made the Peak... so I will say ... to be continued...

Park Gate: Winter Hours in Effect - 8am - 5:30pm