Griffith Saddle Snowshoeing

January 10th 2010

Karen the Backpakers Meetup organizer posted the Griffith Snowshoeing. I have been there couple weeks ago, and I used REI reantal snowshoes at that time. Now, I got new MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes and wanted to try it and also wanted to see the differences.

We started snowshoing little before 9AM. I know it is not an early start for this hike. Because, I estimated it takes 6 - 7 hours.
The Cathedral Rock Parking area was blocked by fence, thus we had to go around it. And it took us more than 40 minutes to get to the South Loop trailhead.
Since it didn't get major snow fall for last couple of weeks, snow was hard packed and very easy to hike on. Even though, Karen and Ian were struggling on the steep hillside. Their snowshoes didn't have good tractions. My new snowshoe really worked even steep hillside. Those heel lifter was a great advantage.
Afeter we hiked up on the switchback section, we took the Old South Loop route. That route gets steeper and their snowshoes getting trouble and couldn't keep up my pace. So, I left them behind and start climbing by myself.
I took almost same route that I broke couple weeks ago. That trail was already filled with snow, so I had to re-break the trail, but it was way easier than last time since the snow was packed.
Only 1.5 hours after I left another hikers, I made it to the Saddle. I was expecting some foot print at there, but I didn't see any.
I stayed at the saddle for couple minutes then headed back down. It took me only 1 hour 10 minutes to get back to the South Loop Trail head.
When we came out at parking, Park Ranger just passed by. He saw us taking off the snowshoes. So, He knew we had done snowshoeing at South Loop Trail. And, he just tols us, 'You guys are OK. Since you know what you doing. We are worrying about those tourists with tennis shoes'. Also he recommended us to park and start hiking from Echo trail.



Entire 3D trail map

Switchback Section

Old Southloop Trail

Griffith Peak & Saddle


Elevation Chart

Click here to see 3D trail map on Google Earth




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