Colchuck Lake Conditions?

[eldiente]

Has anyone been up to Colchuck Lake recently? With the recent dry weather I'm thinking about going up there to do something on Dragontail. Is the road still open, how much snow is on the trail/peaks? Any info would be helpful.

 

Thanks!

 

-Nate

[TrogdortheBurninator]

last weekend from NWhikers:

 

 

I would guess the road is still open, but you could call the LW ranger station to verify.

[eldiente]

Very tempting. Looks like a bit of snow on backbone but not too bad. Very tempting. Especially as there probably isn't anyone up there this time of year and no permits. Has anyone had any experience with a late season run up backbone or serpentine?

[Bug]

Yes. It was cold and we had to bivy.

[TyClimber]

Not on backbone or serpentine specifically, but I climbed other routes in the colchuck, dragontail, prusik area at this time of year and it has been hit or miss. Sometimes the stuff in the shade can get all verglassy.

 

Is verglassy a word?

[tthirloway]

I climbed Serpentine in early October a couple years ago, before any big snowfalls. Most of it was dry and great, but higher up there were some snow patches that had to be crossed. They were in the gullies and were pretty hard to avoid. I'd guess there would be even more up there now, but probably still climbable.

[joshenj]

Last weekend climbed Prusik, great weather very little snow, awsome trip. No snow shoes, crampons ice axe, just go! Should be out this monday as well and expect the same great conditions, just a little cold is all.

 

Josh

[kevino]

Did you make it out monday? Much snow up there?

[joshenj]

Yes did make it out monday, and not much snow at all, patchy in the enchanments at best, with 1-2 feet at most didnt go up Aasgard though not sure there, climbed Prusik west ridge in a day car to car. Couldnt have asked for a better day, and no people. Pretty amazing, even warmish for this time of year.

[Mountainstyle]

When are you going up there Nate? I was looking at going this weekend... how crazy would it be to run into each other up there. I called the ranger station, they said to check the NWhikers net too. It sounds like conditions are good.

[kevino]

Is the road to stuart lake TH still open?

[eldiente]

ahh yes by this upcoming weekend it looks like the snow returns. I should have gotten off my lazy ass and went last weekend..