Tim Anstine Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I know that the USFS site says, "Roads to the South Climb Trailhead begin melting out rapidly in May. However, it typically takes to late June before you can drive all the way to the trailhead. This year it might by July." but I'd like to know if anyone knows how the snow melt is going? How many miles from vehicle to trailhead? We're looking to climb this route mid June and just want to get a feel for how much distance we'll have to cover on skis. Thanks, Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reid Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 I had heard 7 miles of road skiing before the trailhead as of last weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godskid5 Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 ouch, we had planned to do the mazama glacier june 2nd, but are putting it off until late june to late july now. crazy snow this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Anstine Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 Thanks Reid, if you learn any more details, could you please forward them to me? Thanks, Tim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbcbd Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 ouch, we had planned to do the mazama glacier june 2nd, but are putting it off until late june to late july now. crazy snow this year! You might as well wait longer anyway and get to go in through Bird Creek Meadows in the reservation - much shorter approach to Sunrise camp and the Mazama that way (and legal). Last year they opened access to the reservation July 1st - we were tempted to cut into the Mazama from Cold Springs a few days before opening but weather made us push it to opening day and I'm glad it did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinomyte Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I was up yesterday, and it is a good 5 miles to the TH. At least, a little ways up from where you have to park, there is a sign that says there are curves for the next 5 miles! By the way, you might be tempted to plow through the first drift blocking the road...and in a few days you might even make it. But, it will do little good as the next drifts are less than a quartermile around the corner, and you won't make it past those! The shitters at the TH are probably covered up about 8-10 feet or so. It looks like they actually cleared the doors, but it lends new meaning to the phrase "deep shit". Anyway, it's a long walk to the top. I'll try to post some pics later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trumpetsailor Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 How far from the TH does the snow become continuous? There always seem to be a few pesky drifts that make skiers sad. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinomyte Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 It's "mostly" continuous from the TH down to Morrison Creek. That said, there are several downed trees across the road and a few bare spots on the road. I had a board, and it's not particularly fun from the TH down, but between riding, skating, and hiking it wasn't too ridiculous. Hellacious ride from high on the mountain though. I'd say we had multiple miles continuous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevino Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 does hellacious mean good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinomyte Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Well, only in the context of "multiple mile continuous." Or maybe that's good and bad. After hiking 10 miles or so uphill, multiple miles down kinda burns. No, it was good though. Better than hiking by far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James M Schroede Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Any more recent observations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trumpetsailor Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Any more recent observations? Sunday, the road was open to just shy of the Morrison Campground. A few longer gaps on SW facing aspects, but otherwise the road was easily skinnable. ~4-5' of snow at Cold Springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babenders Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Any word on how Cold Spring campground looks now during mid July? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyboulder Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Well, currently it is on fire (and therefore closed): http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/816405#Post816405 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babenders Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 atleast that should help melt the snow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHIXIT Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 The road is clear of snow up to the campground: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/current-conditions/mta-climbing-report.shtml So hopefully this fire will die out and it will get reopened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.