Manila Discussion archive for:

  • Snow Level?

    Where is it out there?  Any hope of getting past Austin H.S. on 46?  Planning a camp trip for a couple weeks for the big 40 birthday yikes...

    last I heard it was around 2500'.  Haven't been out in a few months so I'm anxious to go!

    Snow Level?
  • Re: Snow Level? (#)
  • 4/6/09; 10:03:16 AM ¦ by Rob Williams
  • I was out yesterday on the "other" Eagle Creek trail (501) and there was very little snow.  I think the highest elevation I got to was about 2000'.  The most snow was a couple of short spots of 3 or 4" of snow on the trail.  Most of it was totally clear of snow.

    Making it past Austin HS in a couple of weeks might be a little optimistic.  I was past Ripplebrook about a month ago, and was surprised at how much snow was still there.  And we had more wet, cold weather after that.  I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has been up there recently.

    Big 40?  Lucky you....I passed that one a few years ago....
    • Re: Snow Level? (#)
    • 4/6/09; 11:22:33 AM ¦ by Pete Giordano
    • Rob,

      Did you pass a couple kayakers hiking in on your way out? If so, that was me! We passed a group of 4 hikers and a solo hiker with a dog on our way in to run upper Eagle Cr. yesterday. What a great day to be out in the woods.

      pete
      • Re: Snow Level? (#)
      • 4/6/09; 12:50:19 PM ¦ by Robert Koscik
      • Have you gone down 4611 yet this year?  Ran into ya last May when I was workin on the Grouse Point trail, small world.
        • Re: Snow Level? (#)
        • 4/6/09; 6:16:49 PM ¦ by Pete Giordano
        • Haven't gone down 4611 yet this year. I'm assuming there is still snow blocking at least a couple parts of the road. Warm weather has me thinking about Roaring River though.

          If I do go, I'm planning on trying to carry something to knock back the brush a bit on parts of the trail. I think I've got a hand weed wacker that will fit in my boat. Might as well get some trail work done on the way to kayaking!

          If you get in there, please let me know the snow situation and I'll do the same. Had some great runs on Roaring last year and hoping for a good spring season.

          cheers, pete
          • Re: Snow Level? (#)
          • 4/7/09; 6:32:19 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik

          • I will let you know.  Probably some time in May?  Should be open by then, if that crazy road survives...

            Not sure if a weed wacker is allowed down there any more due to the wilderness designation.  Loppers?  For a little used trail it's in pretty good shape, if you survive the road in.  I'll bet u boater guys make good use of it though.

            • Re: Snow Level? (#)
            • 4/7/09; 7:53:10 AM ¦ by Pete Giordano
            • It's a hand-powered wacker so no problems with the Wilderness thing. Thought it might be more efficient than lopers. There are a couple places where some treadwork would help.  Thought about taking a small pulaski in but might be a bit heavy.
              • Re: Snow Level? (#)
              • 4/7/09; 12:33:58 PM ¦ by Robert Koscik

              • Nah you gots boating to do!  But every little bit helps, and is appreciated.

                Man I think just about every trail in the district needs tread work somewhere.  I actually enjoy it, it's a lot of work but very rewarding.  Much more fun than cutting brush, that gets old fast but sure is necessary in our jungle.

      • Re: Snow Level? (#)
      • 4/6/09; 8:05:53 PM ¦ by Rob Williams
      • Pete:

        That WAS me! What a small world....I saw the group on the way in, and the two of you on the way out.....It was a BEAUTIFUL day in the woods! That was the first time I'd been on that trail, and I will most definitely be back. My kind of place. Quiet, beautiful, remote and not many people.

        Rob
        • Re: Snow Level? (#)
        • 4/6/09; 8:57:51 PM ¦ by Pete Giordano
        • Cool! I always feel like a dork hiking in on trails with a kayak on my shoulder. Always wonder what people think. Interesting trail. Pretty bad at the beginning but pretty nice forest once you get down by the creek. Did you know there is a very nice old-growth stand on the SF Eagle Cr. near the confluence with the main fork? No trail system but it's in that area.

          cheers, pete
    • Re: Snow Level? (#)
    • 4/24/09; 8:49:17 AM ¦ by sean
    • I went on eagle creek trail 501 last weekend 4/19 and it was very clear untill a little over 2000 feet then it kept getting deeper and deeper we made it almost to the end of the trail then we came to a snow wall as tall as us and we turned around but god what a nice trail that is
  • Re: Snow Level? (#)
  • 4/7/09; 7:17:38 PM ¦ by Zack Byerly
  • Hiked the Cripple Creek Trail weekend before last. Made it up to around 3500 feet before calling it quits. Snow covered the trail from around the second crossing of the 130 spur road on up. Besides that it was smooth sailing. The roads up there are still absolutely buried.
    • Re: Snow Level? (#)
    • 4/8/09; 7:24:07 AM ¦ by Robert Koscik

    • From the F.S. site:

      April 6, 2009

      With the recent warm weather, Bagby Springs are now accessible.  The parking lot still has snow and people are parking along the road and hiking into the springs.  Make sure you park beyond the fog line or you can be ticketed for obstructing the road.