High mountain running for 2008 has started! Saturday March 22 proved to be an early season snow running success. Because most snow accumulation came hard and quick over a month ago, the snow has compacted enough that the nightly freezes make an optimum early morning running surface. Highway 168 is closed at Aspendell so the trek to the pass is about 6 miles more (round trip) than the summer variation. Snow coverage is great the entire run to Piute (sic) Pass except for about 50 meters along the dirt road to North Lake. If you want to have the wilderness all to yourself, now is the time. Go early, the snow started getting soft at about 1030. The incredible views (Piute Canyon from the pass pictured above) await you.
