HEY NEWBIES TO SNP AND SHOULDER SEASON OR WINTER COLD WEATHER HIKING. PLEASE CONSIDER CARRYING MICRO-TRACTION EQUIPMENT (YAKTRAX, MICROSPIKES). ALSO PLEASE CARRY ENOUGH WARM GEAR SO YOU CAN STAY WARM FOR SEVERAL HOURS IF YOU SUSTAIN AN INJURY THAT CAUSES YOU TO BE UNABLE TO WALK. BE ADVENTURESOME. HAVE A GOOD TIME BUT PLEASE DO NOT SET YOURSELF UP FOR THE CASCADE OF A BROKEN ANKLE LEADING TO SERIOUS HYPOTHERMIA BECASUSE OF YOUR LACK OF PREPARING FOR THE RISKS. JUST BECAUSE THE SUBURBS HAVE NO SNOW AND 60 DEGREE WEATHER DURING THE DAY DOES NOT MEAN HIGHER ELEVATIONS MAY NOT HAVE ICE AND LOW 40 DEGREE TEMPERATURES!
Washington temperatures were in the 60's so of course Old Rag had a full parking lot. There were lots of folks starting out prepared for their Spring like hike who found they had to turn around at the first false summit because there was lots of ice coating the scrambles rocks. In the parking lot I saw lots of folks starting in shorts. Most had sneakers on but some had sandals and one had flip flops.
The classic large group bridge shot.
Signs of Springs approach.
This group of three coming down the saddle trail was typical of those that I saw. Keep in mind I only saw the 20-30 percent of the hikers who did not turn back.
The following video gives a slight idea of what it is like to negotiate icy trails without micro traction devices on your feet.
IT WAS LUCKY THERE WAS NO NEED FOR A MEDICAL RESPONSE ON THIS DAY.
Sunset from just below summit.
Dusk from summit
Moonlit rocks from summit.
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