Ever since I started hiking five years ago, I've wanted to see the golden larches. On Sept 30, according to a post on another thread, they hadn't turned colour yet and the advice was to wait until the Thanksgiving weekend. Our Mt. Frosty hike had however been scheduled for October 2 and eight of us were hoping to get lucky.

All the way along the groomed and gentle trail through the forest we kept wondering. After a short break at the camp, we encountered the first snow patches, albeit small, but we figured that if it had been cold enough to snow, there could have been enough of a frost to change the colour of the larches.

The first golden larches after the camp


On the trail going up to the meadows

Near the top of the meadows

Ridge in the distance covered with golden larches

The lupines think it is still summer

Me below Mt. Frosty at the start of the trail through the scree

That smile was soon wiped off my face as I found the steep trail to the ridge slightly treacherous due to a combination of snow and loose rock. A man several switchbacks above me and in a great hurry to come down dislodged a breadbox-sized rock that came hurtling toward me. I let loose a scream, waited for my life to flash before my eyes (which didn't happen, I think that's a myth anyhow) and watched the rock until it came to rest not far from me. In comparison, the ridge walk and the scramble to the peak were a walk in the park.

Summit picture Summit view

Descent from the junction of the Windy Joe/Mt. Frosty Trails

As you can see, the larches have just started to turn, but they were glorious nonetheless. Seeing these incredible trees for the first time was an unforgettable experience. After the rain all last night and this morning, I wonder whether the meadows and the summit are now covered with a thick blanket of snow. I'm glad we went yesterday, but I am also looking forward to the TR's and pix from the coming weekend.

Woo Hooooo! I'm so happy for this. Next sunny day I'm going up Frosty, solo or not. Thanks for posting Hedda!

Great report, and you may end up not regretting the timing.

The season is short and all it takes is one good storm to knock all the needles off - I suspect that might happen this year.

IMO, one of the things that make the larch meadows so enticing is their ephemeral nature. Sometimes it takes a few visits before blue skies, golden larches and a hiking club's scheduled visit all coincide. Kind of like cherry blossom viewing in Japan

Thats great that you got to see the larches and some golden colour in them. Its always a fine balance between waiting late in the year to see them at their peak and not being able to see them due to fresh snow. Good job on bagging the summit too

So glad you got to see them!! Are'nt they so special I first saw them up near Cannal Flats and have loved them ever since! Nice pictures

Nice job Hedda. Have not been up there yet.... I think the next sunny day after this coming weekend would be my first opportunity.

Looks like this coming weekend 8th/9th could be the best barring major snows.

K

Gosh - thanks for the TR and larches update!

Hoping to catch them this year...

Yes, nice larch update pics. Thanks.

I'm thinking of heading up to Frosty weekend after Thanksgiving for an overnighter - barring very terrible weather...

Anyone interested in going let me know - I'd prefer not to go solo and would welcome the company on the hike.

I'm going with a friend on Oct 14,15,16. Not sure if we are going to back pack or day hike it and camp at lone duck or the parking lot

Nice to see the larches transitioning in the weekly TRs. Sadly I won't be getting out there this year, so thanks for the pics. Great seeing some familiar faces in the summit Meetup 8-pack. Now if we can only get Brenda to post TRs.