A fine spring day in the foothills with a melange of dry trails, icy trails and soggy slush trails. We started out in the cool car pool meeting place where a north wind made some wonder if they were underdressed. But after arriving at the trailhead it was sunny with little wind and quite pleasant. Long Prairie Ridge was mostly dry and we had good views of the shining mountains to the west which begged for a group picture:

Morning view of the mountains on Long Prairie Ridge

Coming down the west end onto the Death Valley trail there were icy sections in the trees and some wore traction devices. After crossing the road and heading east along the icy/slushy trail we ascended the first Sandy McNabb hill. Except in shady spots,for the most part the steeper trail sections had no snow or ice :


Dry climb up a Sandy McNabb Hill

Lunch was at the highest point on the easternmost hill with sunny views across the Sheep River:


view south from the lunch area

We descended the eastern ridge and chose the low level route back west to the col between the hills. From there, those craving slush and ice were rewarded with a 1.3 km section along some of the ski trails which necessitated some detouring through the adjacent trees to avoid cunningly hidden water traps under some areas of slush:


Slush-o-rama on the Sandy McNabb ski trail

Most managed to make the traverse with their socks remaining dry.

Thanks to a great group for joining me and providing lots of interesting conversations, participants: Rosanne, Philip, Barbara, Francisco, Alda, Carl, Shirley, Janice, Teresa (photo), Jane, Deborah with Ron C/S/P

Fauna and flora; no crocus were seen on these very dry southern aspects, they are awaiting April showers. A few birds were about, junco's, ravens and Townsend Solitaires plus on the drive a bluebird and a few hawks (one was a harrier). NO TICKS, but one of these was crawling on Francisco's boot:

Sign of spring: lady beetle

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