Today's goal was for Sasse Mt. summit via the logging road that starts just past the Red Mt campground. There was some patchy snow at the start of the road so I parked, only to find that I could have driven to 3300ft. I just expected the snow to start, making it fruitless to return and get the car. So wasting 1000ft of unneeded climb I pressed on. The snow warranted snow shoes at the third gate (3300ft), which was open. I reached the end of the road near 4600ft and dropped pack and decided that Sasse Mt summit would have to wait for another day. I did want to climb something so I headed up to the distinct pt. 5560 which is between the Sasse Mt summit and pt. 5335. I kept in the trees on a subtle spur the leads to this pt. I reach 5100ft and decided that the dogs might have a tough time downclimbing and retreated to my pack. After watching the ease that the dogs had getting back to the pack, I couldn't help but think I should have pressed on.
Total distance approx 13 miles Total climb 2800ft Total time 5 hours