You would think it was only 21 miles. But. We hit really heavy snow with a winter storm blowing in so half a mile short we turned around.
Of the six NOBOs on the trail at that point, all turned around. We made it pretty much out of the snow and then camped. Went to bed early and slept through rain all night.
By 4:00 am the rain was over. By 5:28 am we were on the trail back towards Fish Lake. 21,000 steps later we were having breakfast. Nine NOBOs, all realizing the snow was too heavy.
We have been focused on Crater Lake. But the trail is impassable before and after Crater Lake so we missed the crucial factor—the snow on the trail at other locations.
That said, the basalt bolder fields were impressive on the way to Fish Lake. Until the snow the trail was great, blow downs regardless.
A year ago it was a low snow year. 115 degrees. This year it is a high snow year and the temperatures have dropped into the 30s each day.
24 miles. 21 miles. 24 miles. Today it was 21,000 steps or so and lots of elevation. Would have been less but we got off trail on the way back, found our way to the road and then caught a ride into town from a CBD dealer.
Great breakfast. Caught a shuttle (Steph again! By a miracle). My missing Spot GPS turned up at a road crossing and I have it back.
All in all a great day so far. Laundry and a shower next. Then we adjust our hike.