oval
04-09-2010, 09:58 AM
Just did Mystery with my Dad this last weekend and figured I'd drop some beta.
Right now, the East Rim Trail from Weeping rock is free of snow up to the junction at Observation Point. At this point, you hit some snow, maybe a few feet here and there, but overall the trail is pretty easy to discern. The Cairn at the cut off to Mystery is exposed.
The descent into Mystery is North facing and still covered in snow, 2-3 feet. If you are uncomfortable going down the talus slope here in summer, it is worse with the snow. We had an ice-ax that my dad used on the upper part (the first section that immediately drops in is the steepest/scariest, but do-able). The snow is blanketed enough that you'll do some post-holing, but it isn't too bad. There is snow up to the first rappel.
The rappels are in good condition. The ranger said that one other group had been in this season and it looks like they replace some of the webbing; overall it's good. Water levels are very similar to summer conditions. At this point no excessively long swims or pools. The pool at the second to last rappel is still the biggest "swim" you'll have. We went with dry-suits, but in hind-sight, it was likely over-kill. Still, make sure you dress for the snow.
The CFS of the virgin was still under 120 when we did this, but the rangers said that this was unusual and that the Virgin will most likely be closed for a week or 2 due to spring melt picking up and pushing it past the 120 cfs cut-off.
Enjoy :P
Right now, the East Rim Trail from Weeping rock is free of snow up to the junction at Observation Point. At this point, you hit some snow, maybe a few feet here and there, but overall the trail is pretty easy to discern. The Cairn at the cut off to Mystery is exposed.
The descent into Mystery is North facing and still covered in snow, 2-3 feet. If you are uncomfortable going down the talus slope here in summer, it is worse with the snow. We had an ice-ax that my dad used on the upper part (the first section that immediately drops in is the steepest/scariest, but do-able). The snow is blanketed enough that you'll do some post-holing, but it isn't too bad. There is snow up to the first rappel.
The rappels are in good condition. The ranger said that one other group had been in this season and it looks like they replace some of the webbing; overall it's good. Water levels are very similar to summer conditions. At this point no excessively long swims or pools. The pool at the second to last rappel is still the biggest "swim" you'll have. We went with dry-suits, but in hind-sight, it was likely over-kill. Still, make sure you dress for the snow.
The CFS of the virgin was still under 120 when we did this, but the rangers said that this was unusual and that the Virgin will most likely be closed for a week or 2 due to spring melt picking up and pushing it past the 120 cfs cut-off.
Enjoy :P