Uintas Conditions 2014

[Nick]

An interesting illustration of how fast things can change in June....

Google Earth, June 4, 2013 of Cutthroat Lake:


A photo from my trip on June 15, 2013. Just 11 days later:

 

[Dave]

Latest from UDOT:

S.R.150 (Mirror Lake Hwy) is 70% cleared. We're pushing to have it all open by Friday morning for #memorialdayweekend pic.twitter.com/9Ik0rVY5BI

 

[Dwm]

I was just up there today as I had business in Kamas. Drove to where UDOT is clearing the last pass off. There is still snow up high, and some snow on the roads too. Mirror lake is still iced over. I attached some photos I took this morning. These photos are from Bald Mountain Pass, 1st is Bald mountain looking NNW, 2nd is Notch Mountain, and 3rd is Murdock Mountain. No side road open, still a great deal of snow... Sorry for the rookie photos. I know backpacking, not very good at photographing.

 

[andyjaggy]

Nice. Not nearly as much snow as I would have thought at the summit.

 

[Artemus]

I was just up there today as I had business in Kamas. Drove to where UDOT is clearing the last pass off. There is still snow up high, and some snow on the roads too. Mirror lake is still iced over. I attached some photos I took this morning.

Was the gate open and you were able to drive as far as you wanted?

 

[Artemus]

Wolf Creek Pass from tonight's recon. Snow line above 8,500'. The pass is about 9,500'

 

[Udink]

I love you guys. I'm not brave enough to head up this weekend, but I'm shooting for the 30th.

 

[Nick]

I love you guys. I'm not brave enough to head up this weekend, but I'm shooting for the 30th.

Of May? Where you heading?

 

[Udink]

Of May? Where you heading?

Yep, in about a week and a half. I'll probably just head up there and go wherever looks good, maybe north or west past Trial Lake (like I attempted a little too early last year) or, if I can get to the Bald Mountain trailhead, head northwest toward Clegg or Dean lakes.

 

[Nick]

Hmmmm... I'd bet that your results will be similar to last year, but I am looking forward to seeing the pictures!

What date did you try last year when you hit all the snow?

 

[Udink]

Hmmmm... I'd bet that your results will be similar to last year, but I am looking forward to seeing the pictures!

What date did you try last year when you hit all the snow?

I agree, but this time I'll stick it out (and hope to have at least one partner to suffer with me!). It was May 24th last year. Compare Dwm's image from above with mine from roughly the same spot last year, and it looks like there is more snow this year.

 

[Dwm]

Was the gate open and you were able to drive as far as you wanted?

Able to drive as far as wanted, the UDOT Plows were just finishing off the last snow drifts. Should be clear today and for this weekend.

 

[Artemus]

May 25 (Sunday recon.)

Hayden Peak and a view of the snow cover at the base. PIcture taken from the overlook above Moosehorn Lake near Mirror Lake.


Long view of Rocky Sea Pass


Highline Trailhead turnoff at Hayden Pass at 10.347' @Dennis .. the Trial/Crystal lake trailhead turnoff you are yearning to use had about half this snow depth. It was also not plowed.

 

[Aldaron]

Nice 4Runner

 

[Yvonne]

snow melt fast!!
I'm so ready for the mountains, even with a bummed knee!!!

 

[Udink]

Summit of Bald Mountain yesterday: http://instagram.com/p/oeNUL0Iyze/

 

[Udink]

This is from today--the meadow in the center is Cow Park, just east of Moon Lake. The meadow is at almost 10,000', and the snow line looks like it's well above that. Maybe the eastern Uintas are a better bet this early in the season.



Taken from the webcam here: http://www.fsvisimages.com/fstemplate.aspx?site=HIUI2

 

[Nick]

Maybe the eastern Uintas are a better bet this early in the season.

This is definitely the case. Less snow over there and it clears up faster. I did Potter Lake with basically no snow when Wall was still solid ice.

 

[Artemus]

Nice 4Runner

Thanks! It is a Trail Edition. Following your lead.... You still going to need yours in flatland?

 

[Artemus]

This is from today--the meadow in the center is Cow Park, just east of Moon Lake. The meadow is at almost 10,000', and the snow line looks like it's well above that. Maybe the eastern Uintas are a better bet this early in the season.

View attachment 17077

Taken from the webcam here: http://www.fsvisimages.com/fstemplate.aspx?site=HIUI2

Wow, great! new camera resource for real time imagery. Thanks Dennis!