Two Snowshoe Trips, One Weekend

Snowbunny to Yellow Jacket Trail--5 miles

On Friday, took the housemate and his coworker on their first snowshoe adventure. While the pictures don't do it justice, it was 50 degrees out and gorgeous. Fresh powder and once we hit where the sign above was (1.25 mile gradual incline in) and headed into the next section, C took over breaking trail since the preset trail hadn't been traveled in a while. 

Headed up. You can just barely see C and Anna on either side of M and Roxi. C seriously was about 200ft (and waiting) in front of M and I the entire way--talk about a serious snowshoer! ;)

M and I had great fun snapping funny pictures and pottering along. Although the guys (and dogs) ran the declines, while I poked cautiously down them. :) We also came to a couple melt away sections (after a whole section that felt more back country than anything. The first two little streams the guys (and dogs) jumped, while I inched my way across....but then we came upon this melt-off creek:

After exploring the bank, the only way to cross was going to be taking snowshoes off and trying to get up the bank on the opposite side and I wasn't sure if there would be any other creeks....so decided to turn around.....The creek was about 2.75 miles in.

We took an alternate trail back down and again, while it didn't photograph well...there was a massive sunbreak in this somewhat clearing here. It was gorgeous! Once we connected back to the trail connection, M and C took off with Anna back up the original 1.25 mile gradual incline, while Roxi and I podunked along taking a break and snacking-ha! 

Both guys had a great time though, the dogs loved it, and while the trail wasn't my best selection....it still was a fun experience all around.

Trillium Lake Loop--5.5 miles 

B has been wanting me to take him out hiking or snowshoeing. While he's not a huge outdoor guy, he's willing/wanting to try since he knows how much I love it. We were supposed to go with my friend E, her husband, and their dog, but they ended up having a car issue the day before so just B, the dogs, and I went. Trillium Lake is a fairly easy 5 mile pretty jaunt with a premade track. The only real drawback is that it's well used and traveled, which can be a pain on the weekends with the dogs...oh and there's a pretty decent hill at the very end ;) But it made a great introduction for B and we got up there early enough that we beat the impeding crowds. The above picture is at the "view spot" looking out across the lake--on less cloudy days you can see the mountain that is located behind those clouds. Ironically it was a GORGEOUS day, our leisurely pace allowed us to just chat & enjoy each other, and the dogs could hardly believe how spoiled they were.....

B let them ride INSIDE his truck both on the way up and back. I stuck them in the truck bed for part of it, which they do love, but B was worried about them getting too cold on the way back. The lower picture lets you know that they appreciated his generosity...and made this lady pretty happy :) Especially since B has some mad vacuuming to do before turning his truck in for its replacement now--haha!

Two great snow shoe trips! Might try to get one more in before the very end of the season....because it's really feeling like we're transitioning into hiking weather out there. Although M & C did tell me that it's only fair that I try snowboarding now in exchange for their participation in my snowshoeing hobby. :) Haha but might just have to do that....