July 19, 2009, Paradise Glacier

Fred, Jerry and I went up from Paradise Valley Rd via 4th Crossing trail - melting out, muddy and wet with snow patches and quite a few young families in tenny runners. Skinned from about 6500 ft to 8000 ft and had a delightful run down to the Van Trump Memorial with just one very short carry or spark generating walk over scree at about 7000' el. Snow was soft corn, moderate suncups and shallow trenches. There is a little patch to avoid at about 7500' with cracks and running water at the surface . The Joy o Meter was officially at 66-2/3% for 3,000 up and 2,000 down on skis, but I would push it to at least 90% due to blue sky, wildflowers, herd of goats, meeting Amar A. while we had lunch as he charged up the hill and seeing his run down later, and parking right by the trailhead. We saw just a few other skiers and heard from Amar about a few more in the vicinity. Fresh tracks on the Cowlitz Rocks slopes looked good too.
Jerry may add a picture or two. But go look at Amar's TR for much more info and views!