2021 Snow Level

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
Post Reply
User avatar
Chip Down
Posts: 3037
Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » March 26th, 2021, 3:59 pm

In the Silver Star neighborhood today. The 2500' arrow in pic below was about as high as I got. Notice that's just barely above the snowline, but it was suddenly deep, tricky to walk in. I suspect Grouse TH is accessible, but snow probably starts soon after. That could make it a great snowshoe hike, with perhaps no need to pack them up the trail.
Attachments
20210326_104728.jpg

User avatar
rubiks
Posts: 114
Joined: February 12th, 2020, 7:49 pm
Location: Hillsboro

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by rubiks » March 28th, 2021, 8:29 am

Herman Creek trail, snow starts just after you leave the burn area, about 2400'. After that it gets deep quick, and wasn't quite crusty enough to not posthole.
DSC00099.JPG
HC trail through Cedar Swamp camp

There's also some significant trees down across the trail in a couple spots but overall pretty navigable. Most of the damage is between Whisky creek and Cedar Swamp camp. Here's the worst one, >5' diameter monster straight across the trail.
DSC00153.JPG
Easy enough to go around on the high side
You know exactly what to do.
There's no need to be afraid.
Keep walking.

User avatar
woodswalker
Posts: 835
Joined: November 25th, 2012, 4:51 pm

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by woodswalker » March 28th, 2021, 8:57 am

Don Nelsen wrote:
March 16th, 2021, 2:55 pm
drm wrote:
March 15th, 2021, 7:02 am
Don Nelsen wrote:
March 13th, 2021, 2:11 pm
The big advantage is it gets you over 400' higher when you start your hike, nearly 500' above the normal start.
That's an advantage? I can go hike Deschutes if I want to avoid EG. I've got my "winter pounds" that I need to get rid of. I like uphills - as long as they aren't too steep.
Ha! At my age, I'll take every unfair advantage I can get!

Those winter pounds are something else, though: You know, of course, what the "19" in "Covid 19" means don't you? I'm lucky, I gained only about ten pounds since a year ago, so I consider myself ahead of the curve. ;)

dn
Don Nelson, I still aspire to do as well as you when I grow up. I am 64 so fortunately I have time to get in shape :lol:

User avatar
Don Nelsen
Posts: 4377
Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Don Nelsen » March 28th, 2021, 10:05 am

woodswalker wrote:
March 28th, 2021, 8:57 am

Don Nelson, I still aspire to do as well as you when I grow up. I am 64 so fortunately I have time to get in shape :lol:
Oh what I'd give to be 64 again!
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

User avatar
Chip Down
Posts: 3037
Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » March 31st, 2021, 6:32 pm

A few days ago I was struggling at 2500', but today I made it to 4000'.

I left the north Tarbell trailhead, followed Tarbell, cut over on Chinook to gain the north ridge of Silver Star.

There was new snow (I could see it above in the trees).

Getting to the crest of the ridge was tough. The new snow was very firm (virtually no footprints left behind me). I wasn't planning on going this direction when I started out, and I had no traction. I struggled up to the crest, where it was easy walking until the gendarmes. I couldn't bypass them. It was a beautiful day, and with the right equipment it would be a fun ascent. Based on the forecast, I was sure the snow would soften in the afternoon, but it was way too cold/windy to hang out waiting for that.

I'm disappointed, of course, but I had fun where I was at, so was grateful for that.

Couldn't decide on a beer, so went sober today. Yikes, it was terrible. I don't know how people do it!
Attachments
1.jpg
At left is Sturgeon Rock. Notice the clearcut switchbacks on Tarbell Trail, just past Hidden Falls. Those switchbacks run from about 2000' to 3000', but you can't see the bottom in this pic. On Chinook Trail, snow started just a little above the bottom, where it departs from Tarbell.
2.jpg
Where I gained the crest of Silver Star's north ridge (a little above the top of Chinook Trail).
3.jpg
That snowy mound in center is what stopped me. Also, notice the corniced left side of the ridgecrest.
4.jpg
Made it to the base of the cliffs with ease, but that was the end of it.
5.jpg
Looking east, Starway to the left, Little Baldy to the right.

Webfoot
Posts: 1759
Joined: November 25th, 2015, 11:06 am
Location: Troutdale

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Webfoot » April 1st, 2021, 9:25 am

Chip Down wrote:
March 31st, 2021, 6:32 pm
Couldn't decide on a beer, so went sober today. Yikes, it was terrible. I don't know how people do it!
:lol:

(Nice photos, by the way.)

User avatar
Bosterson
Posts: 2317
Joined: May 18th, 2009, 3:17 pm
Location: Portland

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Bosterson » April 1st, 2021, 5:04 pm

Chip Down wrote:
March 31st, 2021, 6:32 pm
Image
Made it to the base of the cliffs with ease, but that was the end of it.
You couldn't just walk around the right side and up that mellow looking grassy slope? (Didn't you have your XL ice axe?) Was the sobriety getting to you? :lol:
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased

User avatar
Chip Down
Posts: 3037
Joined: November 8th, 2014, 8:41 pm

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Chip Down » April 5th, 2021, 7:46 pm

This was at 2000', western end of gorge, WA side.
Attachments
20210405_075842.jpg

User avatar
mountainkat
Posts: 110
Joined: March 4th, 2015, 6:12 pm

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by mountainkat » April 5th, 2021, 9:26 pm

Tagged Green Point on 4/4/21. We took the Herman Creek trail and went up from there. Returned the same way. Snow started at Cedar Swamp, elevation 2800 ft.
Attachments
IMG_1558-01.jpeg
IMG_1543-01.jpeg

User avatar
Arturo
Posts: 180
Joined: April 20th, 2015, 6:44 am
Location: Portland

Re: 2021 Snow Level

Post by Arturo » April 6th, 2021, 9:41 am

I did Silver Star from Grouse Saturday.
Didn't start early enough and the snow was already getting soft from the sun around noon.
The ridge above the drainage was a little treacherous.
Slipping, postholing, just a bunch of mush. More work than it was worth. Even with spikes.
Turned back before hitting the wooded rubble incline.
Some spots I pushed my pole all the way down to the handle. Pretty deep.

Post Reply