I started at the hot springs. Someone has done some great work on the Dick Thomas Trail, taking out every downed log, except the 1st one that you have to crawl under. The 2nd one, “the head bonker”, has been removed. Hallelujah! One time it dropped me to my knees and I ended up crawling under it , too! The road above the Aldrich Butte Rdg. cutoff tr. had a few down scrubs and a couple small logs, but all were easy to get through or across. Coming back I did the PCT and the ridge cutoff trail back to the road. They, too, have been repaired and are in great shape. I did all these trails 2 days after the ice storm and there was significant damage to all up to 1400’. Nice work and thank you!!!
Going up Heartbreak Rdg. a dusting of snow started within sight of the trailhead. It was about 4” on the traverse to the talus. The talus slope had about 8 - 12 inches on it. On top, The fresh snow varied, depending on where the wind blew it, from 6” to 2’ deep. I noticed snow above 3300’ had ice under it and footing got a little dicey on the steeper spots with less snow. The snow depths on top may be deeper depending on how much ice is under it. Coming down the West Rdg. wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, but I carried an ice axe on my pack just in case.
The snowline began about 1800’ just above Heartbreak Rdg. TH.
Around 2200’.
Mt. Hamilton from the knob at the top of the incline.
Sign diverting us away from the summertime lichen fields.
The trail was evident, so I traversed by the 2nd ridge…
…to the talus slope.
The talus slope had just enough snow to fill most of the voids. Whooo!
The trail from there was drifted over, but I was still able to stay on track..
The jct.
Cinderella’s Slipper.
Near the top.
Me on top, trying out a pole camera attachment.
I was planning on going down the North Ridge, but a fog bank came in and I couldn’t even see it. I had it tracked and found the trailhead, but it was drifted over worse than the other trails. Not this day!
Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Last edited by Jack on February 17th, 2012, 8:42 am, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Near the top.
Over towards Belkinfeld South as clouds lift. Down the ridge. Hood starting to break out. Trail traverses left along this knob. Hood suddenly appeared. Yahoo! Heartbreak saddle. Down in the woods.
On the way to the overlook.
Heading down towards West Rdg.
Over towards Belkinfeld South as clouds lift. Down the ridge. Hood starting to break out. Trail traverses left along this knob. Hood suddenly appeared. Yahoo! Heartbreak saddle. Down in the woods.
Last edited by Jack on February 16th, 2012, 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Don Nelsen
- Posts: 4382
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
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Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Jack,
Thanks for the report and pics! good to know most of the logs have been taken out. I've been contemplating doing that myself but looks like the work is done except for that one big one. I may just do that tomorrow.
dn
Thanks for the report and pics! good to know most of the logs have been taken out. I've been contemplating doing that myself but looks like the work is done except for that one big one. I may just do that tomorrow.
dn
"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
"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller
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- Posts: 250
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Jack - thanks for the update on the trail conditions and snow level. Heading up there on Saturday but who knows - looks like the snow levels are dropping very far down on Saturday. Glad to see you noticed the trail work on the Dick Thomas trail. Some of us did that and then did a lot on Cedar Mountain so the trails are in great shape. Hoping that Don does get that first one which is right now almost a belly crawl and either needs a big saw or a trail diversion. Keep up your fine reports.
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Looks like a great way to spend February 15th! I enjoyed your pics & report. Good to see that winter is still alive and well in the higher elevations.
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Thanks for the pics and report! Looks like another trail I need to add to my ever growing list of places to hike!
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
I didn't think there would be that much new snow. Thanks for the report. Kinda hate to see the head bonker go but one of my hikers did hit it darn hard once.
Thats my Favorite Washington side hike in the Gorge.
Rick
Thats my Favorite Washington side hike in the Gorge.
Rick
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Great TR Jack, I love those snow pics! Well done on getting up the boulder field in that snow..
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Thanks Tom and crew for the great work! Yes, I hope DN can work some magic on the 1st log. It's kind of a momentum buster getting down in the mud to get under. Have a fun Sat. hike, whether it be Table or an alternative![email protected] wrote: Glad to see you noticed the trail work on the Dick Thomas trail. Some of us did that and then did a lot on Cedar Mountain so the trails are in great shape.
Re: Snow Conditions on Table Mt. 2-15-2012
Rick - I, too, didn't expect that much snow. We were just on Larch Mt. at 4000' on Sunday and Sherrard Pt. was bare concrete. The head bonker was a booby trap for those wearing a cap. I've often wondered just how many people have hit it. Now there's a nice enviromentally sound trail width chunk of log lying beside the trail as a remembrance for us victims! Man, that thing hurt!rick6003 wrote:I didn't think there would be that much new snow. Thanks for the report. Kinda hate to see the head bonker go but one of my hikers did hit it darn hard once.
Rick
Jack