2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

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

Post by adamschneider » June 25th, 2022, 1:50 pm

I was in the Western Cascades of Lane County (near Highway 58) this last week. The road to the east of Saddleblanket Mountain (Forest Road 1824-142) still had little patches of snow in the ditches between 4100' and 4400', and Nevergo Meadow and Elk Camp Meadow (4300') still had snow on the shady edges.

The north sides of Fairview Peak and Bohemia Mountain (in the Calapooya Divide, about 6000') look pretty snowy:
snow.jpg

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BigBear
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by BigBear » June 26th, 2022, 8:18 am

Mt. Hood Twin Lakes

Quite a few snow patches around the west and northwest base of Bird Butte (up to 3 feet deep) and even snow at the north ends of both lakes. There's enough snowmelt that the Upper Lake is still spilling down the outflow - quite a surprise for late June. It is also a harbinger of what you might find over 5,000 feet since the snow here is between 4,200 and 4,500 feet.

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christabrews
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by christabrews » June 26th, 2022, 2:22 pm

Road 58 is fully snow free.

Pyramid lake road is almost snow free, but there are a few deep piles about 1000ft from the trailhead. Also there is a very large downed tree blocking the way.

Pyramid lake itself is snow free.

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rubiks
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by rubiks » June 26th, 2022, 7:00 pm

Yocum Ridge 6/24, patchy snow started at 4600' and became continuous by 5300'. The viewpoint at 6000' had enough melted ground to sit down for a snack, as did the rocky spine up at 6500'.

McNeil Point also looked pretty melted out, and Adams still had some snow on it.
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Don Nelsen
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Don Nelsen » June 27th, 2022, 8:34 am

Big Hollow Trail to Observation Peak: A few small patches of snow starting at 3400' but never more than that all the way to the summit at 4206'. No mosquitoes! June 26th.
"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

redvving19
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by redvving19 » June 27th, 2022, 9:30 am

Don Nelsen wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 8:34 am
Big Hollow Trail to Observation Peak: A few small patches of snow starting at 3400' but never more than that all the way to the summit at 4206'. No mosquitoes! June 26th.
How as berry camp? There are conflicting reports of water being available. Was planning on doing Trapper Creek Wilderness Loop in a few weeks.

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lordgares
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by lordgares » June 27th, 2022, 9:36 am

As of Sunday 6/26 High Prairie/Lookout Mountain road 4410 up to the trailhead is mostly snow free, there are some patches but nothing major. The trail that goes to Lookout Mountain however is a wet, slushy, knee deep, posthole-y mess. That being said with the temps we are getting it will probably be mostly cleared out by the coming weekend. Other than that was gorgeous up there on Sunday, about 72 degrees with clear skies.
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
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Don Nelsen
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Don Nelsen » June 27th, 2022, 9:51 am

redvving19 wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 9:30 am
Don Nelsen wrote:
June 27th, 2022, 8:34 am
Big Hollow Trail to Observation Peak: A few small patches of snow starting at 3400' but never more than that all the way to the summit at 4206'. No mosquitoes! June 26th.
How as berry camp? There are conflicting reports of water being available. Was planning on doing Trapper Creek Wilderness Loop in a few weeks.
Berry Camp was fine and unburnt, with a few small snow patches here and there off to the sides. At least a half dozen small spring-fed streams crossing the Big Hollow trail as you approach Berry Camp so great access to water.
"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

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Chip Down
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Chip Down » June 27th, 2022, 4:42 pm

Silver Star north 6/25, more snow than expected, even in the gonga-line track.
The scenic open ridge is bare; snow begins near the top, as route goes into forest.
I don't know about Ed's Trail, I suspect it's completely bare.

Bluff Mtn trail snowy under trees, bare in clearings.
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Charley
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Re: 2022 and Beyond - Snow Levels

Post by Charley » June 30th, 2022, 10:51 pm

Mt St Helens Snow Conditions:
Loowit Trail, Toutle Trail, Butte Camp Trail
Snow from 3,800' and higher.
Wednesday-Thursday, June 29-30, 2022

LOTS of snow! I'd recommend snow baskets and some kind of traction devices for walking comfort. Or maybe just find a different place to hike, honestly. These trails are even more fun when you're not slipping and sliding, or getting lost in the woods.

We did a loop from Red Rock Pass, up the Toutle Trail to the Loowit, and then back via the Loowit and Butte Camp trails.

See the jpegs for more info.
LoowitSnow.jpg
We got slightly lost in the Huckelberry Saddle area (leftmost red circle), and following our tracks will be quite frustrating for most!

Large snow drifts remain in the vicinity of Crescent Ridge, on the Loowit Trail (which is actually, believe it or not, visible in the lower part of this photo):
unnamed-1.jpg
East/South of the Sheep Canyon Trail junction, there was still a lot of snow, though it was concentrated in steep drifts mostly in gullies:
unnamed-2.jpg
If you're not comfortable with this kind of snow, I'd recommend avoiding the Loowit Trail for a while. It's going to take a while to melt off.
Believe it or not, I barely ever ride a mountain bike.

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