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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: April 22nd, 2019, 8:21 am
by drm
Lewis River Trail now melted out. I went from Curly Creek (whose falls are in great condition now) to Lower Falls. FS website says open to Middle Falls but I saw no snow even on the hillsides so I expect it is melted to Upper Falls. But the trail is not cleared of debris yet, of which there is a lot.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: April 22nd, 2019, 10:08 am
by Webfoot
Thanks! Any photos of the falls?

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: April 22nd, 2019, 1:13 pm
by drm
Yes - I'll be getting to the trip report soon, maybe this evening, so watch for it there.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: April 28th, 2019, 6:48 pm
by Chip Down
Zigzag Mountain trail is doable from the west end to the lookout site and the junction with #789. As the trail skirts the top of West Zigzag, it crests at 4440' and then starts dropping again as it continues east. For maybe 50 yards at this high point it's a little tricky, but don't give up, it gets better. After dropping quite a ways, it starts ascending again to cross over the north ridge of West ZZ Mtn, and it gets a little tricky again, but soon improves after crossing the ridge. I didn't go much further, but I'm sure it must clear again as it drops and continues east. The pic below is near the 4440' crest near the top of West ZZ. You can see faint footprints in the old firm snow, covered by an inch of new (notice the new snow in the trees). Traction devices might be helpful in spots.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 1st, 2019, 6:34 am
by birdhiker
Hi:

Thinking of trying FiveMile Butte area this weekend, anyone drive FR 44 yet? How much snow around Bottle Prairie? Mt Hood site has not been updated since 4/1. Snow map still shows 3 feet in area yet Mt Hood site shows tower open.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 2nd, 2019, 2:31 pm
by retired jerry
last measurable rain April 27, last rain April 29, next rain predicted May 12

is it too early to root for a record number of days in a row without rain? That wouldn't usually start until July 1 or so

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 2nd, 2019, 2:45 pm
by Aimless
I find it more satisfactory to root for whatever rain falls to fall only at night. That seems to me like a better request than a drought, dried up creeks, stagnant lakes, and a horrible wildfire season.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 2nd, 2019, 7:24 pm
by retired jerry
If my rooting had any effect I'd root for something else :)

Maybe I'll root for or against Trailblazers...

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 3rd, 2019, 4:50 am
by kepPNW
Well-consolidated snow on Silver Star above 3800-4000' or so.

Very easy to walk on (finally) without postholing! :D

ImageSummit Junction, 4/28/19

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 4th, 2019, 7:50 pm
by Schrauf
Clockwise on Starvation - Defiance Loop, consistent snow begins above Warren Lake at about 4k. Generally 2 - 4 feet near the summit, but some exposed ground. Similar snow coverage on the descent on the Defiance trail, gone by about 4k. Not much postholing today but I was below the snow by about 11 AM before it got too warm.