Up to the meadow, we took a 10-100 break.  The winds were light and just small flurries were around, the next snow squall would not come til later.  Heading around Oregon Hill, we arrived at Apex.  I was stopped by a 'local' (with binoculars in hand--at night?) who asked me and my group to keep a look out for a big bird with a 12 foot wingspan.  He said he is trying to document it so it can be named after him.  Then something about 9-11 and twin towers, ex-military, etc...  I just wanted to go, as my idle was acting up.  After many ok and yes's, I left my new 'friend'.  Except now we were all on 2 inches of snow on a steep hill, and need to help to get going again.

    We soon arrived at the trailhead of Miner's Gulch south of Elk Park ready for some fun!  At nearly 9,800', and deep in the trees, last week's storm had coated most of the rocks with a dusting of 2-3 inches here and there.  The snow was just enough to feel the bumps, but also just enough to slip off them at the steep grade.  My Jeep was acting sick as it would not hold idle.  We took a look at it, and got some idle going to run Miner's.

    One by one, we crawled up the lower section till we reached the 'rocky playground'.  We took turns climbing up, and sorta 'winging it' when it comes to knowing where you are.  What a blast!  All did great, and nobody needed strapped.  Richard Dillion drove his stock S-10 well.  This was the 1st time with this much snow, and it made for some big smiles by all!  This was a different approach for me (nite-jeepin'), and a lot of fun (this was only my 3rd nite run). Pictures were hard to take as you can imagine, flashes went off, but it was pretty dark in the trees.