Cancelled - No one joined in time.

Distance: ~13km+. Elevation gain: 1400m. Time: 6-9hrs?

Pace: Probably a bit faster than an average hiking speed.

The forecast has taken a turn for the better! We'll hike the 'Saddlebags Trail' to Saddlebags Lake and ascend the easy, but loose and possibly covered with fresh snow, south slopes of Mt Seton to the summit. No exposure, but with loose rocks and snow, it may be slow or frustrating. I'll likely opt for micro-spikes. I'd suggest bringing high-top hiking shoes as a minimum and microspikes. The snow from this winter seems to have melted, it's just been the new snow that's been falling, so it may or may not be melted by Tuesday. Note also, the weather isn't looking particularly warm, though at this point it's not calling for rain. But you'll need to be prepared for all weather, due to the unpredictable nature of the weather lately.

The trail is likely not in ideal condition. Reports from last year indicate a decent amount of deadfall as well as having to cross an avy path that has a lot of trees down.

Once we meet up, we have the option to carpool up the final logging road. The road has been reported as clear this year, but I can't recall how much clearance is needed to get to the trailhead. Medium clearance and 2wd may or may not make it. High clearance 4wd will have no trouble (which I'll have). You may of course elect to drive by yourself on the logging road too. If we have enough interest and high clearance vehicles, I'll consider upping the max participants to 6. If I'm already out of cell range and you think this is a good trip for you, just sign up and show up, unless the trip already looks full.

I will be car camping Monday night (and maybe Tuesday night too) at one of the nearby rec sites along the east end of the Duffey Lk Rd, you're welcome to join me. Please check the planning forums before the trip as I'll put any last minute info there. I'm dayhiking Monday and then when I head up the Duffey I'll be out of cell range so I won't be reachable except at the meeting point. If folks want to meet up sooner or in cell range to carpool, feel free to mention that in the forum,

Meetup will be at the Cottonwood Rec Site. This is a few hundred meters west of the Downton Creek FSR. There will not be cell service there, so please show up early. We won't wait more than 15min beyond the meetup time, though you're welcome to try to catch us on the trail.