Home Tags Posts tagged with "mountain loop highway"
Tag:

mountain loop highway

AdventuresHiking

Mountain Loop Highway: Big Four Ice Caves

by Paulina Dao
written by Paulina Dao

Happy New Year, friends! I wish there were words to adequately describe the awesomeness of how I kicked off the new year. I barely made it past midnight, but the next morning, I set off to see the Big Four Ice Caves with Lee, Tara, Mike, Terry and John.

It’s not the biggest adventure, or even the most badass, but the ice caves were a spectacular sight. The company, even better. Sometimes it’s not about the destination. Sometimes it’s just about who you’re with (or the journey, ha, ha). Cheers to 2015! Looking forward to hanging out with you all!

Mountain Loop Highway: Big Four Ice Caves

Continue Reading
2 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
AdventuresHiking

Snowshoeing Deer Creek Road, Mountain Loop Highway

by Paulina Dao
written by Paulina Dao

Hike: Deer Creek Road & Big Four Picnic Area
Where: Mountain Loop Highway
Trailhead: Winter Gate before the Big Four Picnic Area
Level: Moderate
Duration: 6 hours
Length: 6 miles out and back on Deer Creek, and 4 miles out and back to the Big Four Picnic Area
Fitbit Steps: Approximately 30,000
Gear: MSR Women’s Lightning Ascent Snowshoes, Icebreaker Kid’s Compass Legging, Outdoor Research Valhalla pants, Sierra Designs Tov jacket, Triple Aught Design Artemis hoodie, Icebreaker Women’s Everyday LS Crewe, Arcteryx Women’s Alpha SL Hybrid Jacket, Arcteryx Kea 45 Backpack, Outdoor Research Longhouse Gloves, Black Diamond First Strike Junior Trekking Poles
Cost of Parking: Free

The boyfriend and I made our way up to Seattle this past weekend to celebrate my big 2-4 birthday! Officially in my mid-twenties, wahoo! We met up with some #hikerchat friends, Lee, Jessica, Josh, Beau and Mike,  and took a jaunt to the Mountain Loop Highway area.

First, we headed up Deer Creek Road in search of a clearing that provided spectacular views of the mountains. We broke trail in two feet of powder. To anyone who went up there this weekend, you are welcome. ;)

Mountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic AreaMountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic AreaMountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic AreaMountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic AreaMountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic AreaMountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic Area

After about three miles of exhausting work, we decided to turn around and head down the road to the Big Four Picnic Area.

Mountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic AreaMountain Loop Highway: Deer Creek & Big Four Picnic Area

The road was fairly well-trodden and flat, but snowshoes (or skis!) make it easier to manage. The road takes you along the river with unobstructed views of the surrounding peaks, and the Big Four Picnic Area is a prime avalanche watching area. Unfortunately, we got there a little late and just missed an avalanche coming down Big Four Mountain.

It was exhilarating finally getting some real winter in! The Mountain Loop area was absolutely beautiful, and I can’t wait to come back. Many, many thanks to Lee, Jessica, Josh, Beau and Mike, for hanging out!

4 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail