Watch the trees for a vertical reference.
2015 was a low snow year.
I called the Cle Elum Ranger Office on February 27 about conditions on Stampede Pass.
The officer reported that the Pass had been closed until February 26 because it was a Washington State designated Sno-park.
On that day, the road was opened so that Snowmobile riders could tow their trailers up the road to the snow.
The officer said no one had been up there on a wheeled vehicle since hunting season.
I saw this as an opportunity to get a four week head start on the spring snow wheeling season.
I called the Enumclaw Ranger District office.
They said Pyramid Creek Sno-park was active and all the roads past the end of the pavement were closed to wheeled vehicle.
I asked about Whistler Creek road. It was uncleared and blocked by snow.
I saw this as another opportunity to make the Greenwater to Easton in February instead of waiting for April.
We made it over the crest and down the other side.
There were some slippery spots and tight spots.
The most excitement happened after dark, but nobody had a camera to record it.
When the Jeep is trying to side hill, watch the trees on the horizon to keep perspective of vertical.