Save the snowshoes; let’s go for a hike

WINTERSPORTS -- Cross-country skiers and snowshoers have two choices to satisfy their longings in this unusually snow-shy start to winter:
- Travel.
- Take a hike.
The photos above are two examples in point.
Nora Searing found fall-like conditions on the south side of Antoine Peak Conservation Area.
Paul Knowles climbed higher to Mount Spokane and headed up in the fog toward Mount Kit Carson. He had to have faith:
Made it up to Kit Carson on Saturday. Mount Spokane was bathed in fog, but just before the Kit Carson summit, we broke out of it. There was actually 3-4” of fresh snow up there….
Meanwhile to the west of us, here's today's snow report from the North Cascades:
Snow levels far below normal in Cascades
SEATTLE (AP) — The recent mild weather systems that blew through Washington have left little snow in the Cascades.
The Northwest Avalanche Center in Seattle reports amounts are far below normal. Some totals as of Monday:
Six inches at Mount Baker, just 9 percent of normal.
Six inches at Snoqualmie Pass, 17 percent of normal.
Two inches at Crystal Mountain, 6 percent of normal.
Jay Albrecht in the Weather Service office in Seattle says the recent rain washed away a lot of the snow in the mountains. He says with winter ahead, there’s time to build up the snowpack.
Check out today's Inland NW regional ski area report. Note that Lookout Pass plans to reopen on Thursday.