McNeil Point open for Visitors

[Waffle Stomper]

Went up to McNeil Point yesterday - what views. The trail from Top Spur is about 90% snow free. Only a little before the 'climber's' trail up the ridge and there are good boot steps. Melted out around the Shelter and can easily do the ridge up above the shelter when is without snow enough to make it higher.

Looking at the Mazama trip report there is snow on the trail and melted up the climber's scramble. When you say the trail from top Spur is about 90% snow free, can you give an approximate elevation that the snow starts?

[Billri9685]

I was just up there today, snow started at a little over 5000 feet.

[Waffle Stomper]

I was just up there today, snow started at a little over 5000 feet.

Thanks, Bill. Very helpful.

[RobinB]

I was just up there today, snow started at a little over 5000 feet.

Me too. The climber's trail is mostly clear, as is the ridge above the shelter, but elsewhere snow's definitely constant above 5000:

[Waffle Stomper]

All good news. We made the trip to snowline. An amazing day. I was surprised how abrupt the transition from snow free to snow was.

[kepPNW]

I was just up there today, snow started at a little over 5000 feet.

Me too. The climber's trail is mostly clear, as is the ridge above the shelter, but elsewhere snow's definitely constant above 5000:

[timg=400]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5551/141 ... 7b83_c.jpg[/timg]

This is still what it looked like yesterday, after breaking off for the climber trail. The "trick" here is to only go about halfway on that snowfield, then swing right about 50' through the trees to hit the actual trail which is melted out from there up to the shelter. No snow to speak of below 5200'.

I wish you had posted a picture or two though. I am anxious to get over to Snow Dragon soon.

Anything in particular you'd like to see? There were bootprints leading right to the entrance. Getting to where you'd divert off the ridge is fairly easy (for someone contemplating this adventure) now.

[retired jerry]

Where'de the foot prints go in both directions? Did they go further? How did they get from McNeil ridge?

[kepPNW]

Where'de the foot prints go in both directions? Did they go further? How did they get from McNeil ridge?

Those by the cave? The led off the ridge towards the glacier at about 6500', went over to the mouth of the cave and a bit beyond. We presumed the the little side-trip to the right, past the cave entrance, was just to photograph it from another angle?

[retired jerry]

That makes sense

I have a track that goes off the McNeil ridge at 6200 feet elevation

[kepPNW]

That makes sense

I have a track that goes off the McNeil ridge at 6200 feet elevation

That could be closer. I was just guessing. Looked like they diverted somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 the way between the shelter and the upper campsite (which is still filled with 6-12" of snow, btw).