[zeldathewelder]

A day forecasted to be overcast and precipitating, but with not much snow available to play in, why not get Paul Peak done? We had (for us) a late start, leaving the trail head about 9 AM. We missed the turn up the ridge, cruising right by in, deep in conversation. We then back tracked almost to the ridge, finding a decent route up through the forest to gain the ascending ridge. There was intermittent snow on the Paul Pk trail, but gaining elevation the snow was consistently 2-4 inches. After gaining the peak, we decided to continue east along the ridge, to the saddle between Paul and Elizabeth. This was a fun little traverse, mostly through face-height evergreen trees, working our way at times below rock croppings. Once in the saddle, we sought out an easier, gradual route south to the Wonderland trail. We took a quick lunch break, then west along the Wonderland, back to the Paul Peak trail and the car. https://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=2441439

[Matt]

How was the road to the park boundary? Do you know if that road gets plowed?

[Carbonj]

They don't plow the road, and with all the offroad crowd and people who punch in how to get to mt rainier the road can get pretty hammered.

[zeldathewelder]

the road was in good condition. There wasn't any snow until the last couple of miles. In the morning on the way up, we put the 4Runner in 4-Low at the last turn before the trailhead and while parking, just as a precaution, as it was slick slush. That afternoon, we drove about a mile in 4-high before doing the rest of the road in 2-wheel drive.

[domaz]

I'm guessing things changed rapidly on that road after the latest storm system. 2000 foot snow levels means that road might be off the table for a while.