Champlin Peak in April

[treponema]

I'm looking to hike Champlin Peak in three weeks (Apr 15-16). Does anyone have an idea what conditions are like? Snow? Too much mud? I'd go further west or south (Swasey Peak or Notch Peak), but the people I'm going with don't want to drive that far.

[northernoutpost]

Looked mostly snow-free on the south side, by the end of last Sunday. That said, Fool Peak to the south was quite snowy, and had some deep, calorie-sucking snowdrifts on the west ridge, above 8300'. I imagine you'd have more trouble with Swasey or Notch right now, especially with the Sawtooth Canyon access on the latter.

[Scott P]

I would thing the south side would be snow free by then.

If it isn't, consider Desert Mountain not far to the west. It's much more interesting than Champlin and unless there's a freak storm before you arrive, it will almost surely be snow free.

[treponema]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. We have chosen Champlin for it's prominence (>2000 ft). As far as the south side of Champlin, I'm not familiar with the access. From what I can see on the map, it looks to be more difficult than the north. Any ideas on this?