From Round Pond....Varied conditions...Little snow-slush---frozen mud, roots and rocks...ice flows and running water....Equipment...Snowshoes/Crampons/Microspikes--If choosing one, MSpikes will get you up and back;)...
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As expected, not a lot of snow...trails are well beaten..Microspikes all day...The col is holding 8-10 inches...many ice flows...Saw some with crampons...snowshoes on packs...#45W
Up from Elk Pass...Trails are muddy, wet, frozen, rock surfaces are icy, some snow left but snowshoes not needed..MicroSpikes were traction of choice...Mixed conditions top to bottom..Be prepared:D
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Water levels look to be down to almost normal...Trails are in generally good shape w/ some mud amd the usual eroded slabs to negotiate..Colors are a week and a rain event past peak
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Trail up to Lake Arnold is in good shape..Some mud pits along the way but nothing too serious....Same for the climb from the Lake..occasional mud...Cross Over Trail to Indian Falls is fine and Phelps Trail out is in very good shape w/ little mud..All water crossings are low at this time
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Beckhorn Trail is in pretty good shape..Some erosion at the usual spots..Expect to get a little dirty..Herd path to Hough was tight as usual but relatively dry..From Hough down Lillian Brook HP was a bit muddy from rains the previous day...buggy down below as temps warmed up.
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From the Loj..A bit of flooding where the walkways cross Marcy Brook before the dam..Beaver dam...VanHo and Phelps trail are in good shape..Some mud and flowing water from recent rains..Brook crossing was easy and work was commencing on washed out bridge.
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Trails are in great shape..very little mud along the way..Although erosion is taking its toll up and down Colvin and Blake...Southern trail up Sawteeth is a gem...Little used and varied..A nice loop
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From Big Hollow Road...All trails are in good shape..No mud, very little blowdown...There is no canopy left after the recent snow and ice storms of the past couple seasons so prickers are going to abundant and there will little shade this summer..
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Typical Spring Cats BW...Nettles are calf-high..Beech whips are just leafing out, the forest floor is covered in wildflowers and the pricker canes are taking over....A beauty of a day..If you are 'wackin the Cats, now is the time to go!
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Great trail conditions up to and including the Curtis Ormsbee...Snow at 3600' to the summit..1'---3'...Hard pack now but will be post hole city on a warm day..plan accordingly:)
Up and back the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail...It's in very good shape...Still some patches of snow left along the summit ridge..Platte Clove Road still has the "road closed" signs up but there is room to drive around them.
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Big time new-blown-drifted snow between col and Seward..Many spruce traps near summit...Herd path from summit to north side is now rebroken,,,Us plus 3 guys we met going up:eek:..It's a semi consolidated path w/ deep snow along the way..It won't last long w/ new snow
Seymour 0207
Herd path is well packed out and easy to follow...Microspikes to BlueBerry LT..Snowshoes after that..No need for crampons at this time..Herd path to Seward from this side is visible but is beginning to get buried.
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Macomb Slide is a mix of ice flows, rock and snow---Stay far left for a nice hardpacked snow track to the exit.
Herd paths are broken after some new and blowing snow this past week...Some false leads here and there esp. between S Dix and Hough..
Lillian Brook HP is now rebroken top to bottom w/...
From St Hubies...Beaver Meadows to Gothics..back down and over Armstrong and both Wolfies..down Wedge Brook...Good conditions all the way..Standard winter gear
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