August 12, 2017, Paradise Glacier

We took a circuitous route up through Golden Gate for maximum wildflower viewing and marmot sightings (and a little extra punishment) before hopping on the standard Muir snowfield trail. Skinned up the snowfield to 8800' and crossed over to the Paradise, where we had a snack with Gerhardt before he headed off to catch his ride home. We had the place to ourselves for continuous skiing to just below 7000', with some great smooth turns! Minimal suncupping and nice hot pow spraying up my back. The route up the valley doesn't go anymore (it did the week before), so we followed the high traverse route and scrambled over loose rock fields and creeks. We linked a few more turns before crossing the last creek and traversed to the end of snow at 6200'. Great wildlife viewing in the Paradise parking lot- we saw two deer in the meadow and a grouse hiding in the shade between cars.