The intention was to hike Cabin Ridge, in the Oldman area. However, we found the Forestry Trunk Road closed by a winter gate just north of the Dutch Creek campground. After some discussion of snow and wind conditions, we decided to try another unnamed ridge along the Dutch Creek road.

The wind was blowing pretty strongly as we hiked up the ridge, and there were intermittent light snow showers. However, the ground was mostly snow-free until we reached our lunch stop at a high point with an expansive view.

From there on, however, the snow got deeper, and we found ourselves knee- to hip-deep in crusty snow that would almost, but not quite support our weight. We did, however, reach the high point of the ridge, at 6857 feet (net elevation gain: 2000 feet), where we admired the view and scouted our original objective, Cabin Ridge, to the north.

We descended by a different route on open slopes and thin forest. The bushwhacking was positively pleasant, little more than a walk between trees. The sky gradually cleared as we descended.

The temperature was -1 °C at the lunch stop, and the wind was estimated at 30 km/h.