2019 Snow Level

General discussions on hiking in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
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Guy
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Guy » May 8th, 2019, 6:17 am

xrp wrote:
May 8th, 2019, 5:44 am
Has anyone hiked Ramona Falls from the RF Trailhead yet this season? I'm wondering about the Sandy River Crossing.

Thanks!
We did it back in March on a snow bridge.

Image

More recent photos posted on FB Portland Hikers show it to be snow freee & about the same as last year, no high water event to change anything.
hiking log & photos.
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retired jerry
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by retired jerry » May 8th, 2019, 6:49 am

wow, I didn't know the Sandy ever had snow bridges across it

squidvicious
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by squidvicious » May 8th, 2019, 7:26 am

xrp wrote:
May 8th, 2019, 5:44 am
Has anyone hiked Ramona Falls from the RF Trailhead yet this season? I'm wondering about the Sandy River Crossing.
I'd also be grateful if anyone can post pics that give a clear idea. I've found that what others call "easy" and no problem does not always align with my ideas, and I'm in especially full wuss mode this year with that kind of thing.

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kepPNW
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by kepPNW » May 8th, 2019, 10:50 am

squidvicious wrote:
May 8th, 2019, 7:26 am
I'd also be grateful if anyone can post pics that give a clear idea. I've found that what others call "easy" and no problem does not always align with my ideas, and I'm in especially full wuss mode this year with that kind of thing.
Numerous recent photos (see the comments responding to Gene) in this thread...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Portlan ... 8016274665
Karl
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xrp
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by xrp » May 9th, 2019, 4:51 am

kepPNW wrote:
May 8th, 2019, 10:50 am
t photos (see the comments responding to Gene) in this thread...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Portlan ... 8016274665
Thank you kepPNW! This is very helpful. Looks crossable by able-bodied people.

I'm taking a neighbor out on his first backpacking outing this weekend and we wanted to give Ramona Falls a go.

Webfoot
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Webfoot » May 9th, 2019, 2:04 pm

As of the morning of May 9th there are a few patches of snow remaining on CG 2026, near Birkenfeld. Not a problem with 4WD but could have been a problem for a crossover. It should be clear for all in a day or two I imagine, given the forecast.

squeakytree
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by squeakytree » May 10th, 2019, 4:22 pm

Sorry I don't have photos, but I was at Ramona Falls a week and a half back. There were two or three different spots people were using to cross the Sandy. In my opinion, a couple of the options are actually not as challenging as they've been in the last couple years. With that said, I'm sure that with this heat wave the water level is probably higher then when I was there, but I'm guessing still a log or two that will work.

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xrp
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by xrp » May 11th, 2019, 12:44 pm

I just went overnight Fri/Sat.

About a mile in from Ramona Falls TH, you hit a spot where people have put branches and stones to block the trail to the right. Go left down to the river banks and go up the river about 50 feet. There will be a large tree to hold on to and smaller trees a little lower to get across.

It was very easy.

No snow on the trail anywhere and Ramona Falls was uncrowned for the overnight.

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adamschneider
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by adamschneider » May 11th, 2019, 6:38 pm

I drove over Blewett Pass yesterday (on U.S. 97 between Wenatchee and Ellensburg, elevation 4124'), and there was no snow along the road. The nearby peaks (like Diamond Head, 5915') had a little snow on top, but it was fading fast.

Aimless
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Re: 2019 Snow Level

Post by Aimless » May 11th, 2019, 7:21 pm

Apparently, Washington State had a low-snowpack winter this year. The further south you go, the more the snowpack increases compared to "normal." This spring also seems headed for warmer/drier than "normal" in the PNW. Late June through July might be the best hiking locally. August could be another hot, dry, smoky mess.

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