Met up with the fellas (Scott and MattVH) at the Grandeur trail head at a leisurely 5:30am. Shortly thereafter we started our way up the west trail, and in no time we were in the snow - and there was plenty of it. What there wasn't an abundance of though, were tracks. Oh, there were one or two sets as we started our way up, but those slowly faded and then soon we were left with none. Up we went, breaking trail in the knee to hip deep snow (it really all matters where you step!). Early on I slipped and racked my knee on a rock. It hurt for a minute, but after moving for a bit, the pain went away. Parts of the trail were covered in soft powder, while other sections had a nice, crisp, razor sharp top layer that protected the powder, but slices right into your exposed ankles (I gotta get some long socks!). It was slow going, but we were having a great time and the weather was absolutely perfect. Scott and Matt just kept me laughing (or shaking my head) the whole time. Apparently at some point the blood from my knee made its way through my pants and was rubbing on the snow with each step (since it was at least knee deep). I couldn't figure out where I was bleeding from (had totally forgotten about the knee) but left a nice trail that looked like a wounded animal was trouncing through the snow. Good thing there were no hungry sharks around. We hit the top in a laughably slow time, and took a minute to eat a gel and enjoy the perfect weather. We decided that we wouldn't try for the loop, given the time constraints and that we could see that no one had come up from Church Fork yet either, so we just headed right back down the way we came. Funny, it is MUCH, much faster to run down that it is up! There were a few sketchy parts up higher where there are lots of rocks (that you can't see), but once past those I just kind of let it go a little and bounded down the hill having a grand ol' time. I'd look back and see Scott and Matt up on hill setting up a quick video shot or wrestling in the snow. My legs were feeling tired, but I was having fun! Was delayed for a minute right near the end while I stood on the trail while a dog barked and growled at me until the owner could come and move him out of the way. Sure, I know he "just barks"... Great morning - ankles are all sore and swollen from the 'gap' effect between my socks and pants, but I'll take it! Photos:  
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