UDOT is showing that the Mirror Lake Highway is going to open tomorrow - the 30th.
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UDOT is showing that the Mirror Lake Highway is going to open tomorrow - the 30th.
Late June. LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by brookiekiller
Don't get too excited. This video from the Provo Bros. was shot during the Summer Solstice- June 21st, 2011. As you can see, the upper part of the range is still buried. It is gonna be until late July to August before any of this opens up without needing to skin or snowshoe into anything good up there. Watch the video, and pray for a heat wave.Quote:
Originally Posted by brookiekiller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FriXPTqeyag
Melting really fast though. I backpacked up there this past weekend. I'm pretty confident there will be plenty of good destinations by July 15. Specifically the sub 10,500 areas. The really high stuff and passes, yeah, late July into August.
Where did you go this past weekend?Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
As you can see in that video, down to about 9,000 feet and it is still buried.
Since the 21st the snow around Trial Lake has already Melted 26 inches. And the data will most likely show another 3" drop by morning (30th). Since the data is taken in the mornings.
I think that Trial is just below 10,000 feet.... Someone correct me if I am wrong.
But yeah, the snow seems to be melting around 3 - 4 inches a day.
Hey Nick, do you think Lofty Lake will be accessible at all this year??
Shingle Creek, camped at about 8900 feet on dry ground just as it started to become patchy. Snow is consistent at low to mid 9k right now, in the shady areas it's thick patches down to 9,000 and then totally clear. I backpacked the exact same spot on June 3, 2006 (typical snow year) and conditions were almost exactly the same. So June 25 minus June 3 = about 3 weeks behind schedule. So I figure if it's typically good to hit the sub 10,5k areas by late June/early July then July 15-ish should be about right this year. In '06 I also backpacked Amethyst Basin on July 4th and it was nice and green, probably would have been doable 1-2 weeks earlier. But I guess we'll see how it all melts out. I do think however that everyone's fear of nothing til August is crap. Unless they just can't handle a little mud and a few patches of snow. I say embrace it, snow keeps beer cold way better than a lake!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
But even right now, there are definitely snow-free, backpacking & fishing-friendly destinations to be had in the Uintas. The entire range is not in the same condition as the popular west end, you just have to drive a little bit further. Hopefully after this weekend I'll have photos of me pulling out brookies at 10k+ to share.
Without a doubt. It was wide open and dry when I hiked through on July 7th last year so add 2-3 weeks to that and I think it will be good. There's not really any areas around it that will hold snow unusually long. Maybe the trail up the backside between Kamas and Lofty could have some drifts but that's it. Trip report from last July 6-7th can be found here: http://backcountrypost.com/?p=170Quote:
Originally Posted by dmMatrix
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/...1b9c01e3_z.jpg
The North Slope is drying out in a hurry. Spirit Lake is over 10200 and has been snow free on its snotel station since the 15th of June - there is still a little snow around as they are just opening the road, but the Ashley doesn't open up the road until they are assured that no damage can happen on it. The Henry's Fork, Red Castle, and Blacks Fork are all snow free at the trail heads, and I have heard more than a few reports of people making it up to the upper basins of Henry's Fork. The ML Highway usually gets more snow than the rest of the range and is a poor indicator of what conditions are like further east. The North Slope generally gets less snow and moisture as well due to the path of the storms.
One more little tidbit. I talked to someone in the Vernal Ranger District today who said that a couple days ago they sent a vehicle up to Chepeta and they were turned back about 3 miles from the lake by snow drifts. They have a 'larger' vehicle going today to see what it's like but they hadn't reported back yet. She figured it would be 2 weeks before it was all melted off up there but that the stuff on the NE side by Flaming Gorge is mostly open now. That's where I'll be this weekend. :cool2:
Maybe I will see you around as I will be up there as well - I am still trying to decide if I should day hike around or get the big pack on.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
I'll be over that way getting my fish on! Hopefully Spirit Lake is open. If not Browne will work.Quote:
Originally Posted by brookiekiller
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Big pack!Quote:
Originally Posted by brookiekiller
This is very true, as you can see below, we had that experience on Boulder Mountain earlier this month. Gotta love the backcountry snowbank kitchen w/refrigeration.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
Attachment 45812
I imagine lower elevation spots are either ready to roll, or will be in a couple of weeks. I think anything above 10,000 ft is gonna be snowbound until the end of the month. I know this snow pack this year, really well. I have 90+ days on it. The January 8th rain crust that occurred is what is keeping the snow so cold, even with the warmer temps. It rained at 11,000 ft at the Bird Jan 8th, with similar conditions throughout the state. The rain turned the snow to glacial ice, then we did some 400 inches on top of it, freezing it to rock harness. We need a heat wave to bust it, and I am sure some of it is just not going to melt all summer. In patches, but it will be there when the snow returns. It is gonna be a tough year for those high elevation fish, I bet there is gonna be bad winter kill up there this year.
What happens at Snowbird is very different than what happens at Mirror Lake and what happens further east, totally different story. Only time will tell I suppose. Oh and maybe the pics I'll be posting on Tuesday of me chomping down High Uinta brook trout at 10k+ :lol8:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
That's pretty darn funny!Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
Oh nice, That is one that I haven't been to yet. Nice TR too!! My wife likes to stick to the easier ones for now as she is a little out of shape (my boy is only 18 months and she just dropped 15 pounds of baby weight)(kinda slow for her, she usually bounces right back). I wanted to hit this lake this year but everywhere on the net has almost scared me off from it. Thanks for the info.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
I am not just basing my view on Snowbird Nick. My friends have been touring the Uintas all season. They know the snow pack as well as anyone out there. I would say Neil and Ian probably have more time in the Uintas in the last 6 month then all the users on this board combined. I am very inclined to trust their observations as they are actually getting out there above 10 K and seeing the conditions first hand. They said most of the lakes above the pass were still frozen over, meaning that those fish are starved. I bet a lot of them do not make it. And no insect hatches either, so no food. Some of them might be making a living on leaches, but there are not enough of those to go around to feed all the fish. I really, because of how late in the season it is, do not think the Uintas are going to be prime fishing this year. I am looking at other areas to hunt down some trophy sized biggies. I am as anxious as anyone to get out there, but I really think the wait is worth it. Fall fishing is the best IMO out there anyways. If they do have some that survive this long winter, they are gonna be hungry for my flies. I actually think the late snow has me checking areas I have never considered hitting, and some that I have wanted to hit. The crew is gonna tour the Duck Lake area via split boards this weekend, I will give a report when they return on how it was out there. I can't go because we are just into our new place, and I have lots of unpacking to do. Riding the Bird and hitting some local trails here that have opened up in the tri-canyons this weekend. Possible over nighter up BCC, depending on how much I get done around here.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
You heard it folks. Stay away from the Uintas until August! I like it that way, more solitude for me! :haha:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
More solitude for us too. We will take it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
The snow at Trial Lake is at 18" right now and that is just a pubic hair shy of 10K feet. I hope people stay away for a little longer, Ill go eat all the fish :naughty:
18" this morning already down to 14" as of 2:00pm today. :mrgreen:
NICE!!!!!! Oh man, I have less than a week until my 5 day hike/fish trip up there. if its at 14" now then the snow should about be long gone in most places by the time I'm hiking. Although, I am still a bit worried about Ibantik lake. But, I'm sure it will be fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
Less than a week? I think there will still be way too much for something like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by dmMatrix
Well, we are going to be in the area next Wednesday... weren't planning on doing any "real" hiking until next Saturday and Sunday. Do you think we have a chance? Although, even if we just make it to the Three Divides and John Lake (for my bro-in-law named John) Ill be happy.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
So is the road really open now? (I may have missed it in someone's reply...but I didn't see any official word).Quote:
Originally Posted by brookiekiller
Attachment 45872Quote:
Originally Posted by kniephof
That info is here: http://commuterlink.utah.gov/PDFCont...adClosures.pdf
Hey dm, let me know how your trip goes as i'm planning on going up to those same lakes the following week.
Explain to me where I ever said "Stay away from the Uintas until August." That is pretty presumptuous at best to take that from what I posted. :roll:Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
For sure, I will most likely be posting a Trip Report on the Sunday after (as we are planning to be home that Sunday (the 17th)). I will probably link the Trip Report right in this thread. I know there is someone else who was saying they were going to be up there today. It may have even been in this thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by sillyman
I just got my hopes up pretty bad, but was then let down when I realized there are, in fact, more than one Lily Lake. I was checking the stocking reports and saw this:
Attachment 45898
I checked the map just in case since I didn't know what the BR-11 designation meant... and it is a Lily Lake that is North of Butterfly Lake about 11 miles or so. I didn't even know that lake was there.
But Then I found this:
Attachment 45899
The yellow pointer is pointing to Mirror Lake and as you can see from the legend it says Fishing is Fair!!!!
I don't know what their definition of "fair" is but it just helped with my worrying about how well the fishing will be next week :mrgreen:
Just got back from a trip to Browne & Spirit Lakes. The road to Spirit is open. There are a few patches of snow near the lake but almost all the snow is melted there. The lake is 100% open. The creek coming out of Spirit is FULL. The fishing was ok. We caught the most in the little creek that comes out of Browne Lake. Tons of mosquitos at Spirit.
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My family & I will be in the Unitas starting on the 11th. We were supposed to go to the Tetons and backpack... but well, the photos I've been seeing remind me of an arctic winter, so a friend suggested the Unitas. I realize that there is still snow here and we are willing to stay lower (I have a 14yo and a 16yo, they aren't interested in peak bagging!)... does anyone know of a 3-4 day backpacking trip that we won't end up in 3 feet of snow (patchy is fine) or stuck because we can't cross a stream? I've been reading lots, but not sure of anything. I'd like to start with at least a bit of a plan.
Thanks!
My wife and I will be hiking and camping this week and should be back on the 10th. I know that is a little late for you to plan but if that helps I will be posting a link to the trip report that I have in here. There is someone else on this thread that is going up around the same time you are. Our trip will be around the Mirror lake highway lakes for the first maybe second day and then we will be doing some hiking into the Three Divide lakes, possibly Marjorie, maybe (if accessible) then Notch lake.Quote:
Originally Posted by AZAmy
A quick update for you, from today. Mirror partially open, Lost is essentially ice free, Wall has open water near the outlet, and no people, Trial is crowded but has lots of ice free surface. Notch still covered, Lovenia has open patches. There were a lot of lower elevation, ice-free lakes visible from the top of Bald Mountain this morning, but haven't tried to identify them. The basins around the highway are still largely snow-covered, but it was generally easy walking today, despite the heat.
How crowded is crowded? How did the lower campgrounds look? My wife is worried about finding a good site, she is making me ask :)Quote:
Originally Posted by northernoutpost
I'd guess maybe 50-60 people on the short stretch of dam when I walked back at 4 PM yesterday. Campgrounds in the vicinity are closed, and lower down in the canyon, everything with an inch of flat space was crammed.
Ok, thanks for the info. Good thing we will be backpacking for most of it then. My wife might not get an actual camp sight *Tee HeeQuote:
Originally Posted by northernoutpost
LOL. Just trying to make a little joke and bring this back to an easy going discussion about the Uintas! I'm sure you and your buds have skied plenty over the winter, not trying to say otherwise. I just think perhaps you're not seeing all of the data and observations available RIGHT NOW. A lot can happen in a week. And more importantly, I don't think anyone's opinion on this is important enough to warrant getting upset over. It's not the political forum! :haha:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
But if you really want to know why I'm so 'presumptuous', these things you said might have helped.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
So I guess I'm sorry if my comment was somehow offensive. :ne_nau:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Nebz
Just got back from 3 days backpacking the eastern Uintas. Had zero snow all the way to Potter Lake at 10,200 feet. Still some drifts above the lake but I'm quite sure I could have followed the trail to 11k+ without much trouble. Beautiful but very rugged area over there. Hiked in 7 miles and didn't see a single person after leaving the trailhead for the next three days. Fishing was just okay, caught around 8, the water was a bit turbid, might have something to do with it. Trip report coming soon.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5316/...731cec68_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/...210c22a0_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5199/...4f7149db_z.jpg
Nice Nick. I got out for a quick 1 nighter to Wall Lake with a few friends. Still tons of snow in the area. My friends bagged Mt. Watson while I checked out the Notch.Quote:
Originally Posted by ibenick
I was just checking out your pics! Looks awesome, you guys are tough kicking through all that snow. Did you use crampons or micro spikes or were you just kicking in really well?Quote:
Originally Posted by kniephof