For most of the snowshoe season we pick tracks in the forest and what we see is snow and trees.    The varieties of trees depends on elevation, terrain, and aspect.   The Dogwood Marshes are at 1250 m (4100 feet) elevation  so the forest is mostly Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and some spruce.   In the more open wet spots we also see alder, especially after an area has been logged and replanted.   In the marshlands red ossier dogwood and willow surround the wetlands with shrubby growth.   We snowshoed through the marshes up into the forest following snowy tracks through trees mantled with recently fallen snow.

Trees with their roots in the water rot and die off then stand as snowless snags at the edge of ponds.

Older aspens have no lower branches permitting winding routes for snowshoers.

When an area is logged taller aspens are sometimes left standing.    As the area is reforested, the juvenile trees will grow to compete with the aspens for light and space.

We snowshoed through stands of mixed forest.

There are many route possibilities in the Dogwood Marshes.   This one was 5.5 km.

On a nice day, the sun partners with snow and trees, trees and snow to welcome the snowshoer to the high country.

More information:

• Dogwood Marshes
• Snowshoeing Dogwood Marshes