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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 24th, 2019, 7:31 pm
by Chip Down
drm wrote:
May 24th, 2019, 1:58 pm
I was told that Wahtum was accessible by road weeks ago. I have not been there.
I know what the trails are like to the north, and I'd be surprised if that road is bare. If it is, I'm kicking myself for not driving up there last weekend.

Edit: It's kind of a moot issue. From Guy's report, we know it's walkable, even if you can't drive a Civic to the lake.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 25th, 2019, 6:35 am
by Brian95
drm wrote:
May 24th, 2019, 1:58 pm
I was told that Wahtum was accessible by road weeks ago. I have not been there.
Chip Down wrote:
May 24th, 2019, 7:31 pm
drm wrote:
May 24th, 2019, 1:58 pm
I was told that Wahtum was accessible by road weeks ago. I have not been there.
I know what the trails are like to the north, and I'd be surprised if that road is bare. If it is, I'm kicking myself for not driving up there last weekend.

Edit: It's kind of a moot issue. From Guy's report, we know it's walkable, even if you can't drive a Civic to the lake.
Thank you, both of you!

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 26th, 2019, 5:31 am
by Chip Down
All clear! The road I mean; the sky not so much. :|

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 26th, 2019, 8:51 pm
by Chip Down
See, here's why I couldn't fathom the road being clear to Wahtum. This pic is on a neighboring road at about the same elevation.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 27th, 2019, 8:46 pm
by ghsmith76
I'm planning to backpack the Timberline Trail in 3 weeks, Starting June 17. Any reports about snow or stream crossings would be greatly appreciated.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 28th, 2019, 6:45 am
by drm
The Mt Hood Test Site snotel still shows 37 inches of snow and I think that's still on the south side. That could well melt out weeks early, about the time you hike. But that is lower than many parts of the Timberline and there will still be major snowbanks in many places, lots of route-finding of covered trail, and raging creek crossings. The Timberline is still an adventure that early. Some people will be doing it by then, but it won't be a walk in the park.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 28th, 2019, 11:50 am
by mmathews
ghsmith76 wrote:
May 27th, 2019, 8:46 pm
I'm planning to backpack the Timberline Trail in 3 weeks, Starting June 17. Any reports about snow or stream crossings would be greatly appreciated.
Ran up to McNeil Shelter on Sunday, May 26. Snow patchy on #600 north side of Bald Mtn Ridge to McGee Creek Trail junction, then large patches. The ridgetop was clear and patches started again on the way up. Complete snow cover, 4'-6' deep tree wells above 5000' elevation. I crossed over to the scramble trail and ended the trip 200'-300' short of the shelter in whiteout fog and rain to return to the station by 4:00 p.m.

My guess: the trail should be passable, but expect deep snow patches in areas at 6000' and above in mid-June. Also prepare for difficult water crossings, they may have failing snow bridges and banks, and the water should be running very quickly.

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 28th, 2019, 7:55 pm
by Chip Down
ghsmith76 wrote:
May 27th, 2019, 8:46 pm
I'm planning to backpack the Timberline Trail in 3 weeks, Starting June 17. Any reports about snow or stream crossings would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Mr Smith,
I've noted your plans in previous posts.
Interested in speculation?
There will be snow, which can be a good thing.
It's pretty much impossible to get lost on circum route. (and if you carry GPS, it's a non-issue)
If you know the mountain well, there should be only three challenges:
In spots you might wish you had traction or maybe even a light axe, but if you carry them you might regret it.
If you have to navigate across snow in fog, that can prove tricky.
Creek crossings will certainly be a challenge.

I suppose the safest time to do this hike is early September (pretty stable weather, little snow, easier creek crossings). But what's the fun in that?


an afterthought:
ghsmith76 wrote:
May 27th, 2019, 8:46 pm
I'm planning to backpack the Timberline Trail in 3 weeks
Three weeks is a pretty slow pace. Did you mean three days? ;) (yeah, I know what you meant, but it reads funny)

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 29th, 2019, 4:52 am
by retired jerry
ha, ha, ha,... very funny...

why is it funny to intentionally misinterpret something - you know what it means but it reads something totally different?

I think it's funny

Re: 2019 Snow Level

Posted: May 29th, 2019, 4:10 pm
by ghsmith76
Chip Down wrote:
May 28th, 2019, 7:55 pm
ghsmith76 wrote:
May 27th, 2019, 8:46 pm
I'm planning to backpack the Timberline Trail in 3 weeks, Starting June 17. Any reports about snow or stream crossings would be greatly appreciated.
I suppose the safest time to do this hike is early September (pretty stable weather, little snow, easier creek crossings). But what's the fun in that?
Exactly...It should be fun. This early TT Trek may present some additional challenges, but nothing that will prevent success. I have decided to use the Timberline Trail as an annual trip which I use to gauge where I am at physically. I have done the TT in August and September but I am really looking forward to what it will be like in June. Plus my 2019 backpacking schedule required that I do the TT this year during this week in June.