First stop, Wallace Falls State Park. Rain, pour, hail. Despite of the bad weather, met at least 30 hikers, some in jeans and sneakers. The waterfalls were fabulous with a lot of force. Didn't try the 1.6 mile trail up to Wallace Lake, seems to be good fishing in spring and fall.
Stopped by Deception Falls, right by the highway. The parking lot was closed. Plenty of snow here. The rest of the drive was a bit snowy, until Stevens Pass. All parking lots were full, still snowing here. Sunny to the east.
3rd stop, Wenatchee Lake's YMCA camp, near the state park. Didn't see anyone here. At the south end of the lake, the view is quite nice. Many homes on the east and west side of the long lake.The driveway to the cabin-for-rent was snowy/icy and a bit steep. A nice log house with owners upstairs. Barbara gave us a map of Plat and some snowshoe suggestions. My phone has only 1 bar, unable to get on the Internet. Wifi is good. Hung clothes/socks to dry, and warmed up in the jacuzzi.
Drove to Leavenworth to see Christmas Lights. That was a good idea. A lot of lights, people and selfie sticks. Very festively. Had bratwurst, beer, and sauerkraut. The potato soup has more sausage chucks in it than potato.
12/31, Monday. Sunny. Drove to the end of the plowed road, Tall Timber Ranch - a Presbyterian church camp, surrounded by mountain ranges, next to Napeequa River as it flows into White River. I couldn't believe that I'd never been here before, after living in Seattle for over 20 years. Such a beautiful setting. A large groomed flat meadow, a line of cabins, people of all ages in cross-country skis, snowshoes.
The groomed trail is nice, but boring. We snowshoed into the woods following some orange ribbons. A family told us that there's a waterfall ahead. The trail goes along the river more or less. Glimpse of the Chiwawa Ridge to the east. The so-called waterfall is a disappointment, or maybe there's another one. The ribbon ends here. 
We then scaled the slope heading further east. Snowshoeing over boulders is quite fun, but not through bushes. The higher, the better the view. If we continued east, we could get to Napeequa Valley to the north, or Twin Lakes to the south. However, without a GPS map, without a trail, we turned around. I took a high route to avoid bushes, got myself almost stuck above a steep gully. Had to threw down snowshoes and poles so I could grab on the rocks while inching down, with aid below.
On the way back, we parked at the road junction with Sears Creek USFS-6404, with other 4 cars. One guy just returned on skis. Crossing a bridge with good views north and south of White River. But the road is too flat, we gave up after about a mile. 
Stopped at the red house for sunset. It's serene and beautiful here, with no one around. Wenatchee Ridge to the west, and Dirty Face to the east (a hike to do in early summer, late spring). Could see Mt David, and maybe Glacier Peak in the distance to the north. The house looks abandoned. Walked to the river over what seems to be swamp, now covered with compact snow. 
Back at the cabin, I worked until dinner. Dinner was bolete soup, lamb shank with spinach and potatoes. Upstairs was having a party. Once awhile someone dragged a chair around, creating scratching noise. I was dozing off waiting for midnight. Pinot Noir to cheer the new year.
2019/1/1, partly sunny - overcast. Little Wenatchee River Road was only plowed for the first mile or so. Drove back the same way we came via Lake Wenatchee Hwy (207). Parked at Stevens Pass near PCT, ~4000'. Snowshoe-ed up Skyline Lake. Quite a lot of people. Half on skis, some just boots. The slope is somewhat steep for snowshoe, worked up a sweat. Met a couple hiking out after spending New Year's Eve at the lake. They said that the ski resort's lights were too bright to see a good starry sky. At a junction towards the top, turn left for the lake. At ~5000', it was covered with deep snow. To the west is Heather Ridge, but the view is not as good as on the way here. Saw one tent on the lake, another one was being erected. Grey jays were hopping around stealing lunch. 
Back at the junction, we continued north to the 2nd T-Mobile tower. A group of skiers were preparing to go down. We headed up along the ridge (county line between King and Chelan), zigzagging, very steep at times. Thanks to the soft snow, we got to the top without trouble. Some one marked a chunk of yellow snow here - disgusting. View is quite good, despite of the low dark clouds. A little bit blocked by trees to the north.The rain didn't drop. Traffic at Gold Bar, causing significant delay. Not sure why, since most business was closed. Returned to Seattle before sun down. Packed for bus tomorrow morning (all sold out this evening). Thus concluded a fun and relaxing New Year's holiday weekend.
