Oregon Hikers

Except during high summer when snow is seldom a problem for hikers, it's always good to keep track of where the snow level begins as we hike up into the foothills or mountains. In February, such firsthand info it can tell us where to snowshoe or x-country ski. In other months it may tell us which trails are opening up for hiking.

Use this thread to note when, where and at what elevation you encountered X amount of snow as you were out and about in the wilds. Other details are optional. Fuller reports can still be posted to the Trip Reports forum. Thanks.

Snow on Nick Eaton began ~ 2000 ft, became deep powder by the 4k top of the ridge, and was feet of amazing, untouched dry powder up at Green Point Mountain:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=28749

Linda and I drove up the road that goes to the Cabot Lake trailhead. We got within 1.4 miles of the road that leaves NF-1230 and goes to the trailhead.

March 1
3200'
Mid gorge, Washington side
Easy to walk through, no postholing, maybe about 8"

One week later, March 8, just 100' higher, but much more to contend with. Mid calf, but occasionally over the knees. Coming back down was fun.
Western gorge, Washington side.

Observation Trail from the Trapper Ck trailhead at the bottom, no snow until 2900 feet. A number of trees down, but not too bad.

Silver Star, south side from Grouse Vista TH, bare to 2700', spotty to 3000' and continuous after that. Well tracked and packed down. Used spikes which were helpful on the steeper parts but no need for snowshoes unless off track.

3/19

Table Mtn basically has no snow on Heartbreak/Westway. There are a few inches in the forest on the top on the north side.

Don Nelsen wrote: ↑

March 9th, 2020, 5:55 pm

Silver Star, south side from Grouse Vista TH, bare to 2700', spotty to 3000' and continuous after that. Well tracked and packed down. Used spikes which were helpful on the steeper parts but no need for snowshoes unless off track.

Update 3/21:
I was at the south summit, 4000', lots of bare expanses, snow was firm, no need for snowshoes. Below 3000' there was virtually no snow. I wasn't on established trails, so YMMV.

Did the Big Hollow / Observation Trail loop in Trapper Creek Saturday / Sunday. The place was packed, parking lot overflowed and people parking down the road. I don't think I have ever seen that lot more than half full. The permit box was empty when I arrived, but full when I left.

Anyway, there was patchy snow in the Big Hollow valley and the Observation Trail had lots of snow between the Trapper Ck and Shortcut junctions, and then smaller amounts behind Observation Peak, though they tended to be long runners you wouldn't want to slip on. It was nice having traction, though plenty were making it through without. It was cloudy so I did not go up to Observation Peak summit, but I heard there wasn't much snow there.

Although the heat this week will melt most of it, there were some snow banks 3-4 feet thick, so a little bit may survive. There were lots of trees down on the Big Hollow Trail, fewer on the Observation Trail.