Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Trip recommendations, current conditions, and other trail related Q&A
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Splintercat
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Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Post by Splintercat » May 21st, 2019, 5:38 pm

Anyone tried to reach the Marion Lake trailhead this spring? The SNOTEL readings are all over the map -- some as high as 5600 feet in the area showing little or no snow, others at 4200 feet showing 20+ inches remaining. Marion is at about 4,000. Hoping to get to Marion and Gatch Falls.

Thanks!

Tom :-)

CoastHiker
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Re: Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Post by CoastHiker » May 22nd, 2019, 4:05 pm

I'm trying for Pamelia Lake this weekend, so I'll let you know what I find (unless you already went?).

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Splintercat
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Re: Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Post by Splintercat » May 22nd, 2019, 4:27 pm

Nope, I'm going to hold off a bit... 4,000 feet seems to be right at the margins for remaining snowpack, especially as you head south. I think Pamelia is a bit lower than that... more like 3,500 feet?

Tom

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retired jerry
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Re: Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Post by retired jerry » May 22nd, 2019, 5:30 pm

http://adamschneider.net/hiking/snow_depth.html

says it's snow free to Pamelia Lake, just barely

click on USGS Topo

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kelkev
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Re: Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Post by kelkev » May 22nd, 2019, 7:11 pm

i read recently that the trail was snow free to Ann Lake, then deep drifts right after the lake....which sounds typical for this type of snow year. But I'm guessing the lake has a lot of bare ground around it.
"Going to the mountains is going home."
— John Muir

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jack.lyda
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Re: Marion Lake Trailhead conditions..?

Post by jack.lyda » June 6th, 2019, 1:24 pm

Hiked from the Marion Lake trail head to Marion Lake on May 23rd, to Marion Falls on the 24th, and to the top of Marion Mountain on the 25th. The only place that snow was on the trail was the last half mile or so going up Marion Mountain. It took extra time to make sure we were following the trail through the snow drifts. Foot prints in the snow stopped before the peak. We also saw bear tracks in the snow. The weather was beautiful on the 23rd but cold and wet the rest of the time. Fishing was not so good.

Jack

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