2015 Mountain Backpacking - Disappointment and Opportunity

[John Goering]

Thanks for that link langutah. Guess I haven't been paying too much attention to snowpack here (a bit north of Bozeman) because it appeared to be very close to normal if not above normal. That said, I could count the number of times it rained in the December-March period at our place on one hand up through the 80's and now it happens at least once a month. Temp wise, this winter appears to be the coldest we've had in a least a decade but the temp range spread also seems way higher than normal.

Don't think I will be getting much high country time in before the 4th.

 

[John Goering]

After reading this thread, I was curious. Looked up the Snotel sites in the Bridgers and Tobacco Roots and all are above normal for water content. Snow depths from 3 to 6'. We pass very close to the Lower Twin site in the Roots when we visit N Meadow and it really does help to determine if skis are in the gear and give a pretty good measure as to just how far the Jeep will be going.

 

[Nick]

Very interesting thread. Thanks for posting, Art. I'm still holding out hope that things get going in the next couple of months.

 

[Seldom Seen Anderson]

Its getting scary warm in Southwest Utah. Saw a forecast of temps around 70 degrees next week. I mean I love the fact that I was out hiking in shorts and tshirt this morning but...scary nonetheless...

 

[backwoodsBob]

great info! Ill no doubt USE that sight!

 

[Artemus]

Looked up the Snotel sites in the Bridgers and Tobacco Roots ....

That reminds me. Heads up John and everyone else, the NRCS recently released a wonderful new version of their snotel site. It IS a thing of beauty. And it consolidates precip., streamflow, etc. Recommended.
The site.

 

[John Goering]

I donno-just went for the usual hike behind the house. 47 in the shade, 60 in the sun, shirt sleeves and still sweating my butt off. The packed snow trail is like hiking on a thin rope. Guess my concern about winter kill is much abated and if this lasts for an extended time, we will be in the woods early here also.





And probably out early too. What a difference a week makes.

 

[Artemus]

And the strangeness just continues...
The summer monsoon seems to have started a little early. Geesh.
http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/full_loop.php

 

[Absarokanaut]

Phillips Bench Snotel [Tetons] is right at normal for snow water-equivalent. As warm as it has been tere's still a good amount of water on the ground around here.

That said it is indeed drier than Hades through much of the West. El Nino is kicking in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico and NOAA thinks it will be in March, April, and May too:

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=2

 

[Yvonne]

And the strangeness just continues...
The summer monsoon seems to have started a little early. Geesh.
http://radar.weather.gov/Conus/full_loop.php
View attachment 25224

finally!!! Rain for St. George.
As we only have about 43% of the average amount of rain and snow we are happy about every drop we get

 

[Bob]

Unless it's a repeat of the Santa Clara washout...

 

[Hurakan]

Must have been an on going topic as well for the Anasazi. Didn't work out so well for them.

 

[Yvonne]

Unless it's a repeat of the Santa Clara washout...

not going to happen this year

at least we got unbelievable 0.33 inch of rain yesterday.

 

[Bob]

Dry and warn in Ogden....my grass is turning green.

 

[Yvonne]

Dry and warn in Ogden....my grass is turning green.

we'll hit mid 70s next week, I'm more than ready.
Time to get my inflatable out on our reservoirs

 

[Bob]

great I'll check the weather down south. Maybe time for a weekend trip...

 

[Parma]

Saw this article today and thought yall would be interested:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...ow-in-mountains-keeps-water-anxiety-away.html

 

[Nick]

Getting pretty crazy down here in the Salt Lake Valley. My grass is growing, tulips are at least 4-5" out of the ground and scariest of all - my big maple that had nothing more than buds in early April 2013 is budding now... yikes. Only 47" up at the Trial Lake snotel. Uintas backpacking in late March or April at this rate???

 

[Ben]

same in boise. temps keep getting in the 60s, the flowers are coming up here.

 

[Nick]

Just crazy.

I've been getting bids to get my roof replaced this week and when I ask the guys about off-season discount pricing, they laugh and point at the sky. I guess business is good this 'winter'.