We woke up at Icewater Spring Shelter to a half foot of snow,freezing temps, and high winds.

The forecast called for more snow and temps down to -17 with the windchill for the night.  We decided to hike back to the gap and get back to town.
There was a group of 7 college students in the shelter that left their van at the gap and offered us a ride to town.

So we started the hike back down the mountain, breaking a trail through the snow

Seeker led the way down, breaking the trail and I brought up the rear making sure we didn’t lose anyone.

We got down and managed to get 14 hikers and all our gear into a 12 person van.

The road from the gap to town had been closed due to ice and snow, but a snow plow truck with chains on the tires, guided us down the mountain and radioed ahead to get the gate open for us.

We are in town and hoping to get back on the trail tomorrow if the road is open.