2021 Snow Level

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
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Chip Down
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » April 17th, 2021, 2:18 pm

rubiks wrote:
April 17th, 2021, 11:06 am
Can confirm that bit of snow on Adams is still there.
I hear it's expected to get pretty warm Sunday. Maybe next week I'll report back on what has survived, if any.

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mjirving
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by mjirving » April 17th, 2021, 5:31 pm

Substantial snow on the back side of Elk and Kings Mtns today at 2800’. Surprised me.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » April 18th, 2021, 1:59 pm

mjirving wrote:
April 17th, 2021, 5:31 pm
Substantial snow on the back side of Elk and Kings Mtns today at 2800’. Surprised me.
We always get such thorough statistical analysis from mjirving, but all he offers here is "substantial". :geek:

bushwhacker
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by bushwhacker » April 21st, 2021, 4:13 pm

Did the Franklin Ridge / Larch Mountain loop yesterday. Geez, the ridge and east side of Franklin Ridge is depressing. You don't hit snow until just before the Multnomah spur trail then is more snow then bare over to the Larch Mt trail. Didn't seem to hard to navigate but gaiters are helpful and micro spikes are not necessary.

Long as you are on the west side things look good but once on the ridge and over on the east side of the ridge things are burnt to a crisp. I stopped probably 50 times to toss branches off the trail. This will probably be a never ending process for the foreseeable future.

On Franklin Ridge. Now's the time to go. Before all of the undergrowth buds out.
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Once you get to the Oneonta junction things green up (some what).
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This short stretch was the only part with logs on the trail.
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Spur trail was most all mushy snow but at least not burnt.
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squidvicious
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by squidvicious » April 21st, 2021, 6:06 pm

bushwhacker wrote:
April 21st, 2021, 4:13 pm
Did the Franklin Ridge / Larch Mountain loop yesterday.
Thank you, this is exactly what I wanted to know!

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Chip Down
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » April 22nd, 2021, 7:11 pm

Silver Star from Grouse:
I followed Tarbell up to the crest where it crosses the road that goes to Sturgeon Rock. No significant snow until 3300', then solid after that.
When I reached the SS junction at 4k' I turned towards Grouse, because it was foggy/misty, just not peasant enough to continue. Snow was pretty consistent until that steep rocky stretch just above Grouse. Of course, weather was better when I reached Grouse, so I followed Tarbell south towards Larch. It was clear to the 2800' high point above Grouse Creek, but snowy after that.
Attachments
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Snow clinging stubbornly to SS trail (taken from the base of Pyramid Rock).
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Grouse is down there, Larch Mtn across the way.
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Random pic, I think this was as the road was approaching Sturgeon.
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Notice the snow persisting on a road leading to Sturgeon (maybe one of the Tarbell clearcuts?)
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Silver Star north ridge melting out nicely.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » April 27th, 2021, 8:10 pm

A bit more snow than expected on Skamania Mountain (western end of gorge, WA side).
Attachments
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3000' on east side. Main utility road is clear, but spur road is accessed via tracked vehicles (one of which passed me on the way up).
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3200' on west side. In distance, at left, notice a bit of snow still lingers on Adams. Give it another week or two, at least. Beer was funky, but not overly tart. Very nice. Recommended, if you like nasty dirty beers.

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drm
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by drm » April 29th, 2021, 10:35 am

PCT snowline is at Teakettle Spring, at about 3500'. Trail goes from clear to 100% coverage in about 100 yards. Saw some bare spots ahead, but they won't last long. The hillside above was completely covered.
teakettle spring.jpg

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dmthomas49
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by dmthomas49 » April 29th, 2021, 2:23 pm

PCT about 1 mile from 3 Corner Rock. 3,000ft.
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"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

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dmthomas49
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Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by dmthomas49 » April 30th, 2021, 7:56 am

dmthomas49 wrote:
April 29th, 2021, 2:23 pm
PCT about 1 mile from 3 Corner Rock. 3,000ft.
IMG_1280.JPG
We did not have microspikes and the snow was angled down the slope. No way to go around. Snow was about 3-4 feet deep. There may have been no snow after this, but we did not try to get through..
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
— John Muir

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