Oregon Hikers

West end of gorge, Washington side.
No snow at 2400'.
I saw a little snow up at 3200'

Larch mountain is almost totally snow free. There was 1-2" of snow in the open areas near the top, no snow on the ground where there is tree cover.

We don't have a lot of snow. I look at the snowfall in Japan and envy - so much snow is just a fairy tale. I love snowy winters so that there is plenty of snow. I do not accept half measures.

Kay Burton wrote: ↑

January 12th, 2021, 1:30 am

We don't have a lot of snow. I look at the snowfall in Japan and envy - so much snow is just a fairy tale. I love snowy winters so that there is plenty of snow. I do not accept half measures.

Curious to know, at what elevation have you been encountering snow (or no snow) lately on your hikes?

I was wondering what we picked up with that big storm that just blew through. Checked Timberline Lodge reports. No snow in the last 72 hours. Wow. Hard to imagine. I know it's been mild, but I'm amazed that it would rain at Timberline in January.

Meadows reports one inch in the last 48 hours.

Larch Mountain (Oregon) essentially bare, as expected.

Top Spur via Rd 1828: Snow starts at 3430', about two-thirds of the way from the Muddy Fork junction to Top Spur trailhead.

Burnt Lake Trailhead is bare. That surprised me, but I forgot it was so low, just 2670'.

One wonders why Rd 1828 is travel-at-your-own-risk, but 1825 to Ramona and Burnt Lake is gated.

I'll probably post a TR when the mood strikes.

Hard to believe this is the middle of January.

Benson Plateau near the Benson Way junction. The PCT such as it is.

bushwhacker wrote: ↑

January 19th, 2021, 7:39 am

Hard to believe this is the middle of January.

Not getting a good snowpack till late winter has been pretty common in recent years.

There are two reasons they gate roads: to prevent big vehicles putting big ruts in the snow, and to prevent big vehicles from putting big ruts in the mud. Some roads are left ungated so that big vehicles can have fun putting big ruts in the snow and mud.

A buddy and I hiked Silver Star via Starway trail on 1/18. Starway trail is snow-free from the TH up to ~3700', with patches of snow above there. There were three or four steep spots on north facing slopes that held significant snow and required microspikes to negotiate. Snow was persistent above maybe 4000', with some bare patches at the two summits. The trail was very-well trodden and packed down from the junction with the Silver Star trail to the summit.