9/28, Saturday. Cloudy. Very lucky this weekend that I got a ride just one block from my home. Met Jai, this event's host at 7am in Lynnwood. When we arrived at Yellow Aster Butte (7.5 mile RT, 2550'EG) ~9:30, there was already a line of cars. Snow on trees. Lots of people and dogs. Saw a couple of pink penstemon earlier on trail. Later some purple aster. Still some huckleberry to pick. Frosty! Instead of fall color, we landed in a winter wonderland. It even snowed a bit. Snow was too bright, all the other colors were compromised. Very pretty.
The camping area, where all the tarns are, looked very cold. It was also quite windy today, as soon as we left the trees, which is quite early on. I had to put away my umbrella. No hiding place for bio break: too many hikers on the trail. Surprised to see quite a few people with large backpacks. 
Going up the butte itself was a bit slippery. There was a traffic jam on 2 short steep sections. I wore micro spikes, so fairly easy going up and down. Most folks were not prepared for the early winter here. I saw one guy in shorts and sandals, bare feet! At least he put on socks coming down.We were back at the car ~2:30pm. Less snow than morning. We continued on the road, now quite deteriorated.
Twin Lakes are ~1000' higher, so a lot of snow. Quite pretty. Established tent pads, picnic tables. Saw two tents on the strip between the 2 lakes, somewhat exposed. A dozen cars. A little hail. Cold. I put on a down vest. Repacked, and we hiked up Winchester Mountain. I hoped to sleep inside the lookout, so didn't take my tent. If the lookout was full, I planned to hike down and camp here, at the lakes, assuming it'd be a couple of degrees higher than the summit, which is 1300' higher.
The trail is well made. 1.7 mile is easy. When I arrived at the lookout, there were already 2 parties, 5 people + 2 dogs settled in. Jai decided to camp outside. He brought a 0°F bag. Soon 2 more people showed up. We managed to squeeze 9 people + 2 dogs in the small room, two sleeping halfway under the table. With this many warm body, it's surprising how cold it was inside. The snow dragged in by the door became sold ice on the floor.
We were lucky that the clouds parted a bit, and the sun was setting under the clouds. One of the best sunset I ever witnessed. Everyone got out of the cabin to stare at the glowing scenery.At night, another couple arrived. They set up their tent behind the cabin. I was cold in my 20°F bag.
9/29, Sunday. No sunrise. Light snow. Took awhile to pack up Jai's tent. His stakes were frozen with the rocks he used to anchor. Cooked hot water to pour on them. Still one was stuck. Hiking down was straight forward. Less visibility than yesterday. It was snowing.
Our original plan for Sunday is Goat Mountain nearby. Considering the weather, we drove back out. As the elevation lowered, we left winter, and returned to autumn. Took Excelsior Pass trail. Starting elevation is 1800'. We filled water at this cascade, about a mile in. No more water until near the pass.
The 4 miles in the woods is a bit boring. Finally the trail breaks out into a nice meadow, filled with huckleberry. Great fall color. Little streams. Snow and muddy at times. The pass is beautiful. A bit windy. Met more hikers coming from Damfino Lake. We walked west up a small butte, before returning. 3500' and 4.9 miles one way. Another good workout. I wish the weather were better and I had more time to explore, maybe walk all the way to Welcome Pass. There are trails going all 4 directions from the pass.Back at home ~8pm.
