2019 Snow Level

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
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Chip Down
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » October 6th, 2019, 7:38 pm

Vista Ridge TH (about 4500') is clear. A tiny bit of snow to the sides of the road, but the road is melted out.

I hiked the old Vista Ridge trail today. At the highest points (a bit below 5000' I suppose) it was like the road: a bit of snow to the sides, but clear down the middle. There were a few spots where snow persisted on the trail, but negligible.
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kepPNW
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by kepPNW » October 7th, 2019, 8:57 am

Boundary Trail was mostly clear (bits of slush in the Tomroy area) and hikable from JRO to Norway Pass yesterday.
Karl
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Aimless
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Aimless » October 11th, 2019, 10:46 am

I was up on the PCT near Lolo Pass on Wednesday (Oct. 9) hiking with my wife and the snow line started almost exactly at 3500 ft. The good news is that the snow amounts were pretty negligible up to 4000 ft, and the only minor problem it presented was the melting snow falling off the trees.

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retired jerry
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by retired jerry » October 12th, 2019, 7:02 am

snow seems to be melting

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.p ... aHteyhKjIU

next week a lot of rain, barely below freezing even at 7000 feet elevation

maybe 10 days from now it'll stop raining and there'll be opportunities for a last trip on the mountain without much snow

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Chip Down
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » October 12th, 2019, 6:58 pm

McNeil Point 10/12: never deep enough to be a hassle, maybe about ankle deep. Main problem was icy spots where boot traffic made the trail slushy, and then turned icy overnight.

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Sugar Pine
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Sugar Pine » October 15th, 2019, 11:48 am

Bald Mtn area on 10/13/2019: Spotty snow, very thin layer, in a few spots at about 4300'.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » October 15th, 2019, 7:16 pm

Tues Oct 15, Indian Heaven, just a trace above 5000'. I doubt there's enough snow anywhere in Indian Heaven to trouble anybody.

Also, looking over at Adams, it looks almost like it does in summer. A few gullies and protected depressions still harbor some snow, but it doesn't look like enough to be a problem.

St Helens also appears to be essentially snow free at trail elevations, but again, there might be pockets lingering in protected areas.

Using the NOAA forecast for Timberline Lodge as a guide, I don't think the wet week ahead will be too much trouble. Snow up there, but a bit warm. Lower trailheads and roads should be okay. Even so, I'm biting my nails waiting to see what the next week brings.

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retired jerry
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by retired jerry » October 16th, 2019, 5:57 am

looking at the NOAA forecast for 5400 feet near Timberline, 16 inches of snow in the next few days but temps are between 32 to 37 F.

maybe this will all melt off a few weeks from now, or maybe this is it for this season?

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poppacouch
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by poppacouch » October 28th, 2019, 7:40 am

Anyone get out on Hood over last weekend? Clear skies ahead this week...
I'm hoping to get a hike in up the PCT from Top Spur towards McNeil, but not planning actually get up to McNeil. Really, just want to take my family up to see the beautiful Muddy Fork gorge. Probably last chance to get out this fall.
Any reports on road leading to Top Spur TH and the trail itself appreciated.

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teachpdx
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by teachpdx » October 28th, 2019, 1:36 pm

poppacouch wrote:
October 28th, 2019, 7:40 am
Anyone get out on Hood over last weekend? Clear skies ahead this week...
I'm hoping to get a hike in up the PCT from Top Spur towards McNeil, but not planning actually get up to McNeil. Really, just want to take my family up to see the beautiful Muddy Fork gorge. Probably last chance to get out this fall.
Any reports on road leading to Top Spur TH and the trail itself appreciated.
This trip report was posted today. Should give you some pertinent info.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=28605
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