Mt. Ellinor-Mt. Washington beta request

[chesterboo]

As anybody been in there lately. How is the road up to the lower and upper traile head of Ellinor and can you drive to the 1a trailhead of Mt. Washington. Any route info. thanks.

[sjwages]

We headed up there 4/2/06 with a 4WD pickup and got bogged down in wet slushy snow about 2 miles from the lower trail head. It was raining so we decided not to hike the road. Snowshoes would be a good idea, used them around Mt Angeles and Steeple as snow is still nice and fluffy. I've heard there's a rap involved somewhere...

[Drederek]

Hiked up Ellinor to about 4500' yesterday (4/14) from the lake. Didn't see any tracks down on the road at the lower TH but I'll bet it'll be open to there very soon. Hit old snow on the trail at about 3k and fresh at 4k.

[chesterboo]

thanks for the reports. I think I will wait a bit now especially with the fresh snow.

[BigWave]

We headed up to ski Ellinor yesterday 4/17. Bottomed out the VW Golf @ 1500'. There was 10" of new. At least one other vehicle had made it higher than we did, but unfortunately we had to turn around. There was also new snow on the shores of Lake Cushman. Quite the mid april storm.

[Eugenian]

Any reports from this past weekend regarding the road/trail approach?

[OlympicMtnBoy]

Wasn't up on Ellinor, but went in to Boulder Shelter and climbed Coudy Pk. via the Dungeness Trail (TR coming soon). We didn't hit much snow at all till after 3000'. With all the warm weather last week it's been melting fast. There was afternoon postholing above 4K, which made nice cramponing early in the morning. I'd image it's similar around Ellinor/Washington right now.

[CPOly]

As of today, the first impassible snow patch is about a mile below the lower trailhead at around 2200'.

[Mr._Natural]

N.E. Face of Washington 4-24

[Off_White]

Did you do a route from that side? How close could you drive?

[Mr._Natural]

Didn't get up anything. I was able to drive a little ways past Jefferson Lake (HC 4X4). Check out the fracture.

[mattp]

Damn! I think I see a ski run!

Its been avvy checked and everything.

[Off_White]

Yeah, it looks fat and sassy to be sure. That's a great side of the hill, thanks for the pic Natty.

[neswstar]

Anyone up there this past weekend? Road update? Avy conditions? Looking to head up that way next weekend - would really appreciate the beta.

[chesterboo]

bump

[detekt]

Went up Elllinor on Saturday. There is one snow patch on the road at about 2400 feet, got through it easily in the CRV. Then it's pretty much clear to the lower TH. There is still lots of snow on the road beyond. Much of the lower trail is melted out before the junction with the trail to the upper TH. Soft snow in the chute but we didn't use snow shoes. We enjoyed glissade down. Hope that helps.

[neswstar]

went up Saturday 5/6 the road is open to the lower trail head - no snow. However, Big Creek campground is not open (even though the website says it was to open 5/1). Also, be it rangers or ya ho's, ripped the signs we posted to direct friends to the next campground before night fall. So folks ended up all over the place - might want a clear back up plan. Great climb. no views or goats but still a good day out. The slide was a bit icy high up but no holes in it and it's good all the way to the bottom. - might want to bring padding or at least some old ripped pants.

[burkus]

I talked to the rangers today. Apparently Big Creek is open, but it just opened today (5/10).

[JonnySnakeSlayer]

The road is open to the Washington Trailhead. On route 1 the upper "Schrund" is open and deteriorating rapidly.