You might say that the 2011-2012 winter is off to a slow start, precipitation-wise. The Willamette Pass ski area, southeast of Eugene, only reached adequate (barely) snow levels to open a week ago. At the nearby Gold Lake Sno-park, where I led the first Oregon Wild snowshoe hike of the year yesterday, there was only about 1.5 feet of snow. Packed, icy, snow. 

The good thing about snowshoeing is that this kind of snow is great for beginners, and for anyone just looking to enjoy a crisp clear day in the wintery forest - even if patches of dry ground show up along the trail here and there. For skiing, not so much.

Thanks to a write-up in the Eugene Register-Guard's "Dash" section last week, several newcomers to Oregon Wild's hikes were along to learn the basics of snowshoeing, eat lunch at the Westview Shelter, and take in a stunning view of Odell Lake and Diamond Peak.

Of course, snow is in the forecast for the weekend, so the next trip to this area (January 28) should have significantly more padding underfoot. I can't wait!