tomfuller

The Yak Trax are useful to prevent slipping on icy surfaces.
If packed snow has started to melt at the surface and then refrozen I would use them. The place for snowshoes is on virgin snow more than a foot deep. The best snowshoes have ice cleats under the ball of your foot. Snowshoes are to prevent you from "postholeing" in deep snow.
Another note for novice snowshoers is to keep to the right of any X-country ski tracks. The skiers are really upset when they see snowshoe tracks stomped over their nice even tracks.
Believe it or not, I have used my snow shoes in the month of May near the Santiam Pass in Oregon.

sludick

I just wanted to check in and thank everybody for all your suggestions. At this point I've pretty much wrapped up all I'm able to acquire, and will come back here on our return to weigh in on what worked and what we wished we'd had.

Even bargain hunting at Cabelas, REI, LL Bean, etc., I'd hate to guess exactly how much total I've spent. I console myself with the thought that I have been making regular business trips to Denver (next one is January), so I may get some occasional use from everything.

Thanks again.

sludick

Oh, and tomfuller - I did get Yak Trax. The cats of the house have given them to us for Christmas...

sludick

Update - just got back tonight from our trip, but will be a few days or so before I can start posting a trip report. For those heading that way, be aware that this area is currently desperate for snow and normal lower temps. And that although some stores are closed, you can outfit yourselves if need be.

Talk to y'all soon.

starrs

Hope you had a good trip!