Meet at the Green Canyon Parking lot at 6pm 09Feb2018. Use the parking lot with no pavilion that is about .6 miles past the first parking lot with a pavilion.

3.8 mile (2,238' ascent) hike/snowshoe to top of the Preston Valley Trail. Hang in the pine forest above the Wind Caves. Those who want a shorter hike can return via the Preston Valley Trail.

10Feb2018 - 2.6 mile (1,624' ascent) hike/snowshoe to Beirneau Peak, then 4.8 miles (1,585' ascent) to Mt. Elmer. Option: add 2 miles (round trip) to hit Mt. Jardine. Otherwise begin descent from Mt. Elmer down through Green Canyon. We'll hang anywhere between Elmer (as soon as we get below the tree line) and the upper Green Canyon parking lot (which not winter accessible). The upper lot is 5.2 miles (3,465' descent) from Mt. Elmer.

11Feb2018 - Return to Green Canyon parking lot, 3.7 miles (1,043' descent) from the upper parking lot.

Total mileage:
11.2 miles ascending from cars to Mt. Elmer.
8.9 miles descending from Mt. Elmer to cars (+2 miles if we got to Mt. Jardine).

Route subject to change depending on weather and avalanche forecasts, but at at minimum we'll go to the top of the Preston Valley trail, hang, and return the next day.

Here is a rout map with the Jardine option included (click on hills for elevation profile).

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/544248

Confirm whether you are coming so we know to watch for you.

Gear notes:
- This is NOT a polk/sled friendly route, you'll need to backpack it.
- This is NOT a cross-country ski friendly route, bring snowshoes and if you plan on going past the first camp site, bring crampons.
- Bring trekking poles.
- The first part of the route IS a good introduction to winter backpacking with substantial elevation gain, but if it is your first time I recommend you plan on going back via the Preston Valley trail the morning of the 10th, either first thing in the morning or after reaching Beirdneau. Don't do both nights if you're not in shape for it.
- Be prepared to melt snow, there is no running water until the last few miles.
- Check the forecast, adjust for altitude, and make sure your method of melting snow works for the foretasted temperatures and the presence of wind.
- We'll be on top of a ridge for almost 8 miles, be prepared for wind.