It was time to go snow camping! The weather looked good so we talked Beth and Sylvia into joining us for an “easy” overnight trip. Our goal was Mazama Shelter, just below Park Butte Lookout. We had snow showed into the 3-sided shelter one New Year’s Eve a few years ago. I thought it would be the perfect spot for great views of Baker and a nice roof over our heads. I didn’t remember too much of our previous trip, just that it was a long day.
We headed out Saturday morning in good spirits. The dogs were frisky and feeling good. The Sisters looked spectacular frosted in snow. We drove up Mosquito Lake road and parked at the gate at Wallace Creek. Only 3 miles up the road to the trailhead. The snow was firm and packed. No problem. It was only 11 AM and we had just 3.5 miles of trail to reach the shelter.
Spoke too soon. Our first obstacle was crossing the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River. It took us an hour before we decided our only option was to wade across. I didn’t remember doing this last time – was there a bridge or a log? Now our boots were soaked but the sun was shining. Followed the trail easily along the river, then started the climb uphill. Oh oh. Lost the trail. Now we were heading straight uphill through the woods in our snowshoes with heavy packs. People started to grumble and the dogs started whining.
It’s 4 PM and we are still going uphill. Seems like we should start traversing. Let’s do it. Cliffs. Where did those come from? I don’t remember any cliffs. Fought our way around the cliffs. Then it was up and down steep gullies. Could have used an ice axe and crampons on one section. Now it is 5:30 and the troops are restless. We take a vote and decide the shelter is still too far away and it’s time to make camp before dark. Picked a beautiful spot at about 4400 ft for our camp. The Black Buttes and Mt Baker looked down on our tents.
I KNOW the Mazama shelter was just a little way further, maybe a half hour, but no one else was interested in finding it. Craig and Sancho fell asleep in the tent while the women melted water and made dinner. Another adventure in the great outdoors for Lynn, Craig and Sancho
What was my Favorite Part of this Trip?

1. The jarring potholes and boulder size rocks strung across Road 38 on our way to the trailhead.
2. Heading straight up icy slopes on Saturday and straight down icier slopes on Sunday.
3. No way over the Nooksack River – so we had to go through it – soaking wet feet by noon of Saturday.
4. We never quite got to the shelter – though we were somewhere very close and camped in fluffy snow in a park like area below Park Butte with a lovely view of Mt Baker and the frosted Black Buttes.
5. My sleeping bag was soaking wet – when all I wanted was to make a nest and get warm! Then the bag froze when I hung it out to dry. Nothing to do but put on all of my clothes and crawl in – knowing the bag would eventually dry. And it did – by dawn.
6. Good route finders. Good friends, easy laughs, and primo weather.