Is this the ideal year for a SOBO PCT hike? From what I understand, snowfall in Washington is way below normal and snowfall in California is way above. Does this change the equation of a PCT Thru from favoring NOBO to favoring SOBO?
Chris
2010 SOBO PCT - Pacific Crest Trail
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#2
I’m certainly no expert and don’t live out west (we’ll probably get some posts from people well more informed than me), but just based on the NRCC snowpack map and the cali coop snow survey plots, it looks like current levels are between 90 and 120% that of normal throughout cali. Of course this is only march, and it could get a lot better, or a lot worse by the Kick-off. It is an El Nino year, which means moisture is guaranteed. It seems so far, that it has been hitting arizona the worst.
-lakewood
lakewood
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#3
paw and i coined this little phrase last year to describe our 1600 miles on the PCT…we did a little ‘skipping’ and ‘hopping’ around (with the help and encouragement of friends for which we are forever grateful)…
this way we were able to hike certain sections of the trail at optimal times…it was great!
i realize this may involve a little extra expense (especially if you don’t live on the west coast where friends and/or family may be willing to help shuttle you at more minimal costs)…but if you plan for the extra costs now, you may have more flexibility on the trail to get the transportation you need to ‘hand-pick’ your sections and the seasons you will hike them…
we’ve always preferred and enjoyed a “one-direction” hike in the past, but our ‘skip-hop’ on the PCT worked exceptionally well for us!..we would recommend it!.. even for folks who plan to hike the entire 2600 miles in a single season…
maw-ee
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#4
I think you are right this is about as good as it gets for a southbound trip. I live in S. Cal about 20 miles from San Jacinto. I PROMISE that if you go N/B you will hit a lot of snow on San Jacinto, even in May. There is about 8 feet of snow there now. The trail goes on the shady side of the mountain for the most part and will melt very slowly. Mt. Baden-Powell has even more. The Sierras have more than average, but not by to much, so I expect they will be passable by the middle of June with an ice axe or crampons on the passes to be safe.
Washington still has only about 40-60 % of normal snow. So it sounds like a great S/B year. Have fun!
Robocop
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#5
I live near Mount Hood and the trail. The Northwest is way low on snow and spring storms haven’t hit. Southern Oregon has had very low snow and shouldn’t be a problem. According to Postholer Clear Lake is at 18% of snow pack which seems right on.
Check out: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/default.aspx?cam=1104
You can from the cams at Snoq. and Steven’s Pass the snow is almost nothing. If you at the cam near Winthrop you can see the North Cascades is looking like a low snow line.
Regardless, plan for snow in northern Washington the elevation is low compared to the Sierra’s but this is deceptive and reflective of how much snow falls.
David
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#6
Try:
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/
By way of comparison, at Harts Pass (Northern Washington), the current snow water equiv. is approximately 30". The historical for this date in 2005, the last prime SOBO year was only 14".
Miners Ridge (Glacier Peak Area): Currently ~26", 2005 ~20".
Stevens Pass: Currently ~25". 2005 Approx 9"
Olalie Meadows (behind Snoqualmie Pass): Currently 41", 2005 about 10"
White Pass: Currently ~ 15", 2005 about 4".
While the current year is below normal, the facts are it’s not comparable to 2005, which was a great year for SOBO. Read the journals of the Southbounders and Flippers from 2005 to get a feel of the snow conditions they encountered. Factor their snow conditions up to see what you may encounter.
Also realize that even though a snow sensor may read zero, that doesn’t mean there is no snow on the ground obscuring the trail. First hand experience from the super high snow year of 2006 indicates that snow lingers, obscuring the trail, LONG after the sensors read zero. Also, the highway cam’s DON’T show you what you’ll encounter in the back country. The trees can look nice and green, yet hide feet of snow under their canopy. Also recall that, unlike the Sierra, the passes in Washington typically are the LOW points, not the high points of the trail.
With respect to Robo’s comments: Yes, you will encounter snow around Idyllwild, and again near Baden Powell. All of a few miles of it, on the order of 10 miles per location. You’ll bull through this in about a day at each location. Neither was especially challenging in ‘normal’ thru hiker season in the high snow year of '06. Both locations have viable ways around if you’re not interested in dealing with it. But, in the end, neither is all that bad for the well motivated, well skilled, well equipped thru hiker.
The same goes for the Sierra. Looking at the snow, this year isn’t nearly as bad as 2005 or 2006, so far. Both years were quite viable for a straight through NOBO hike. All you have to be is motivated, reasonably skilled and reasonably well equipped.
David only hints at the differences between the Sierra and Washington with respect to snow and elevation. Typical snow line elevations in Washington are FAR lower than the Sierra. The valleys (~8,000’ and up to about 9,500’ or so) were fully melted out by June 20 in '06. In Washington, the comparable elevation of full melt out in mid June is typically FAR lower.
One other complicating factor with a SOBO - you’ll be ascending up the northern facing slopes and decending the southern facing slopes. More snow on the northern facing slopes.
In the end, enjoy the thru, which ever way you go. It’ll be a great experience, a great summer and a great set of memories.
Token Civilian