2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
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retired jerry
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by retired jerry » February 14th, 2022, 6:18 am

"It all seems pretty spring-like to this person, even if it is still mid-feb by the calendar."

some of us root for an early melt out of alpine areas :lol:

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drm
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by drm » February 14th, 2022, 9:21 am

"Still" February? We had a 70* day last week. Admittedly, it was the warmest February day on record for us in The Dalles. But despite Feb being fairly frigid last year, most years it feels like the transition month into Spring.

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rubiks
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by rubiks » February 14th, 2022, 7:06 pm

I tried to snowshoe up Coldwater Ridge on Saturday 2/12, but the snow was seriously lacking. Roads and trail were bare up to maybe 3000', then patchy after that. There were still large bare patches as high as Blastzone Butte at 4500', my turnaround point for the day.

Snow was very crispy, no risk of postholing. Snow was perfect for spikes.
You know exactly what to do.
There's no need to be afraid.
Keep walking.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Chip Down » February 19th, 2022, 11:14 pm

A bit east of Washougal today, snow was solid above 2100'.
Firm, mostly easy to walk on.
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2100'
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Culvert at left confirmed I was still on road.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Chip Down » February 26th, 2022, 7:55 pm

Duncan Creek TH (1000') was essentially bare, but started to pick up with a little elevation gain. My high point was 2400'. The snow we received in the gorge this week was softer than I've seen in weeks. Deep enough to slow you down, but not enough to need snowshoes.
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Notice the almost-bare zone in the middle. That's typical. I have no idea why. At 2400'.
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Railcar Bridge must have been essentially melted out a few days ago. Just a light fresh coating today.
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I did more pushing than riding today.
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Something for everybody. Want bare ground? Stay on the road. Want snow? Follow the powerline clearing.
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Ghetto canyoneering at Cynthia Falls.

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rubiks
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by rubiks » February 27th, 2022, 9:54 am

Hiked the entirety of Oneonta on Saturday 2/26. Bare up until just before the junction with Horsetail Creek Trail, then transitioning to deep and powdery about 2400'. No snowshoes, but sank in 8-10" each step. Broke trail most of the way, save the stretch of Oneonta that forms part of the Franklin Ridge loop.

All the rain this week will immediately make this update obsolete, if it isn't already.
You know exactly what to do.
There's no need to be afraid.
Keep walking.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Chip Down » March 5th, 2022, 6:25 pm

I expected Railcar Bridge to be bare, but nope, there was a tiny speck intact. Give it a couple days. Weird how the road differs east vs west.

Found a stove. Looks like the opening at lower right is exhaust from the firebox, and the outer shell allows airflow to the front grate (opposite side).
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drm
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by drm » March 6th, 2022, 5:00 pm

PCT towards Benson snow starts at 3000' - just before red rock viewpoint. The viewpoint itself is mostly melted out.

There are some trees lower down, but I took my folding saw today and made them easier to pass.

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Chip Down
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Chip Down » March 12th, 2022, 8:49 pm

A little east of Washougal, at 2200', went from 0% coverage to 100% coverage at the drop of a hat.
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some new snow on silverstar mtn
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drm
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by drm » March 27th, 2022, 6:55 am

Trapper Creek is just starting to melt out. The parking lot is still mostly covered by snow, and in any case is inaccessible due to a large tree across the road - a couple of them. I walked over to the trail and snow is patchy at the bottom but it is tree after tree after tree down across the trail. And the patchy snow becomes constant in far less than a mile.

I didn't get very far up. Dry Creek looked to be in pretty bad shape. Snow melts but down trees don't - the trail will have to be cleared before I can hike that.
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