Schoolhouse Springs Trailhead (Alpine) to Lake Hardy Round Trip
Familiar hike up to First and Second Hamongog, continuing up to ridge line before trail heads east toward Lake Hardy.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tyuQOIOoDZlCwfSmCnIsd9goXkZXKxgrBJfYTKiveW8=w269-h201-p-no)
Surprising amount of snow (I'm not sure why I was surprised based upon Saturday's Box Elder Peak outing--reoccurring theme with me) at 8,500 ft level.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5UBl6kaeuJpApTKC2P8y8_8uS_F3Wu-xIDP9AUd_u2Q=w295-h221-p-no)
Navigating trail to Hardy difficult and then impossible as it climbed up to 9,000 ft levels where snow depths dramatically increased. Traversed several snow fields carefully going off-piste up the ridge (as opposed to heading up the little valley to Lake Hardy) which allowed some climbing on rock as opposed to navigating through deep snow. Punched/fell in waist deep pockets many times--thankfully never into water.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qf7VuGnJeNMIBXq-_QxWJkJ5sI7gZsCe11-ho4dJwCM=w295-h221-p-no)
Incredible amounts of water coming down cliff faces and underneath snow. Very careful with footing and climbing. Hardy still frozen with several feet of snow still on the ground.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SJKwdirKB2r4r6j-lKSPSdgqxTr2HgZp4CUKX-31354=w295-h221-p-no)
Quick trip back knowing best route back through snow section.
10.8 with some short side excursions. 4,900 vert. |