I left Boulder around 9:45 this morning and got to the parking lot at 3:30. Roads were a little snowy but gradually improving, and the white pickup did fine apart from some slithering on Mitchell Ln. Meanwhile, Tony got an early start and enjoyed boarding the new snow at Crested Butte.
Left trailhead 4:00, to Crystal Cabin by 5:30. The snowmobile had just been by to groom the road to Gothic.
We checked in with Danny and Eli this evening. They're planning to dig snow pits at the site tomorrow and Saturday, so we'll all head out together tomorrow. Saw the glowing eyes of a fox on our way back from Maroon Cabin!
NOTE: A few times I had trouble with the traverse losing traction. The roads were pretty icy before sunrise and there was quite a bit of snow at Monarch pass. We may want to consider a winter tire or all season tire with deep tread. -Tony