Mt Pinos "Snowshoe" hike trip report  

Photos from our January 18th, 1999 "Snowshoe" hike.  As feared, we found no snow around the parking lot when we arrived.  Other than ice on the trail and the chill in the air the hike was just a pleasant hike to the 8,800 ft Mt Pinos peak.  A few of our crew took advantage of the slippery ice on the trail to practice their "skating" and falling moves.

Within an hour we were at the peak but even at this high altitude there was ZERO snow.  Thanks to the diligent scouting effort by Joey and Danny we were able to locate a small protected bowl with significant snow build-up.  We actually thought about going back to the cars to pick up the three pairs of snowshoes but thought better of it.  When in this 100-yard wide area it actually seemed like we were doing real snow camping .  For lunch we practices our winter camp cooking skills by firing up our whisper-lites and creating the wonderful "Szechwan Vege Wrap" meal Danny R planned and prepared for us.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

After a few snowball fights, sled trips down the hill on the trash can lid we found, and some cold feet, we headed back to the cars.  On the return trip even the slippery ice was beginning to thaw leaving only slushy mud.   Driving back the crew stopped for their traditional In-and-Out-Burger lunch then drove back. The monotony of the trip was broken by the pestering by our female crew members using the radios.  A critique of the trip found it fun for all, with numerous lessons learned about snow cooking.  A GREAT TRIP