Big Snow Mountain (Overnight) - strong with solid terrain & snow travel skills

Big Snow Mountain is situated in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie. Access is from the Dingford Creek Trailhead. The road getting to the trailhead is quite treacherous. HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE RECOMMENDED for getting to thr trailhead. I've driven my compact Subaru on the road, but it wasn't pleasant.

The plan on Saturday is to hike in via the Dingford Creek Trail to Myrtle Lake. From there, we will venture off trail to Big Snow Lake. The plan is to arrive at the lake by early afternoon. From there, we will continue to the summit. We have the option to camp at the summit (with an amazing view) or can camp at Hardscrabble lakes on our descent. If we have time, we can also climb Hardscrabble moutain. On Sunday, we will come down via the Hardscrabble side, and do a seven mile road walk back to the car. I would consider doing an overnight out and back camping at Big Snow Lake, but would perfer to do the loop I described if possible.

Expect that we will be crossing thin and sketchy snow, with possible snow bridges and postholing. We may have creek crossings to ford, some bushwhacking, class 3 terrain, steep snow and rock slopes, steep gullies, and other possible terrain hazzards. Good situational awareness and routefinding skills will be necessary for a safe and successful adventure. We will be carrying overnight gear with us the whole way, including to the summit. Be ready to handle the terrain with overnight pack weight. EXPECT A LONG AND DEMANDING TRIP. YOU SHOULD ONLY RSVP IF YOU'RE READY FOR IT!

Stats:
Distance: 20+ miles, roundtrip (including 7 miles of road walk)
Elevation Gain: 5,500+ feet
Highest Point: 6,682 feet

Trip Reports
Shows the loop we intend to do:
https://trailcatjim.com/big-snow-mountain-carryover/
Showing the conditions we may likely face:
https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7966967

PLEASE DOWNLOAD BOTH GPS TRACKS FROM THE FOLLOWING LINKS SINCE THERE ISN'T A SINGLE GPS TRACK FOR THR ENTIRE LOOP:

Link with GPS from the Dingford Creek /Myrtle Lake side:
https://lukehelgeson.smugmug.com/Trips/2018/Big-Snow-Mountain

Link with GPS from Hardscrabble side:https://www.peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=1445086

Good situational awareness, snow travel skills, and teamwork are essential to have a fun and safe outing while avoiding hazards. The group pace should be moderate (around 2 miles per hour average). IF YOU RSVP, YOU WILL INITIALLY BE WAITLISTED. PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, WHEN PROMPTED. I WILL ADD PEOPLE WHO ARE WITH APPROPRIATE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND GEAR.

The Plan (subject to change):

Saturday:
5:30 AM Meet at the Park and Ride and arrange carpools. Plan to arrive a few minutes early so we can leave promptly. If people need a ride from Seattle, please coordinate with me directly.

7:30 to 8 AM meet at the trailhead. Have your bags packed so we can minimize time preparing.

We should arrive at Big Snow Lake by early afternoon, and the summit of Big Snow by late afternoon. We can camp on the summit ot at Hardscrabble lakes below.

Sunday:
Time TBD - Hike out via Hardscrabble trail and 7 mile road walk.

We should arrive back at the cars by early to mid afternoon but expect that we could be out later than that.

It is about a 2 hour trip between the trailhead and park and ride. We can also stop for food on the way back if people want to.

What to bring:

Pack, warm clothing layers (expect rain, snow, and wind), hiking or mountaineering boots, crampons, microspikes, helmet, hiking poles, ice ax, navigation: map, compass, and GPS if you have it, emergency bivy, food and water for the day (2-3 liters minimum), sun protection, headlamp, Sit pad, 10 essentials not already mentioned. Overnight camping gear including tent or bivy, sleeping bag and mat, stove and cooking provisions. Expect that we may camp on snow. SNOWSHOES MIGHT BE HELPFUL, BUT WE CAN DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING THEM LATER ON. Drivers should have directions and NW forest pass or equivalent. I will likely bring a shovel and handline rope for team gear.
Everyone bring good cheer!

Directions (from WTA site):
From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34. Turn left onto 468th Street and follow it to the junction with the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road. Turn right and continue up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road for 12 miles to the large Middle Fork trailhead parking area on the right. Pass the parking area and turn right onto a gravel road immediately after crossing a large concrete bridge. The road is marked for Dingford and Dutch Miller Gap. Continue six miles on a heavily potholed road to a gate.