What a difference a few inches can make...

This is my 20th outing of the 24/25 season, and the few inches of snow that fell between Christmas night and Friday completely transformed the Williams Lake trail. What was once rutted and rundown now feels like a magical winter wonderland. With five to six inches of fresh snow, everything around you is pure white and glistening!

Check out some pictures from yesterday. The first two? Let’s call them: “Find the avalanche path...”

Looking over Williams Lake to Lake Fork Peak, elev. 12,881'.

View of the southern ridge line.

Wind plume over Wheler Peak, elevation 13,161'

Lake Fork Peak through the trees.

The bog above and south of Williams Lake.

Frozen lakes and rivers, known as the "Highways of Winter," 

were used by Stone Age skiers. Thanks to these natural 

pathways, they could often travel farther and faster 

in winter than during the warmer seasons.