South San Juan Snow Conditions

imported
#1

Does anyone know how it’s looking along the trail right now in this area? I know it was a light snow year and the temps have been warm. I was thinking about heading that way soon and was wondering if it was too soon. Thanks!

A

#2

As of 5/18, snowpack for Colorado as a whole was 50% of normal. For the far southwestern corner of the state (San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, an San Juan basins), it was 23% of normal. For the Upper Rio Grande basin, it was 31% of normal. For the Gunnison River basin, 32% of normal. I don’t know what he ground conditions look like out there, but the snow is melting rapidly.

Thought Criminal

#3

This morning’s (5/19) SNOTEL data shows that Colorado snowpack as a whole dropped from 50% of normal yesterday to 47% today. The Upper Rio Grande and Gunnison basins are now at 29% of normal, with 22% of normal snowpack for the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan basins.

Individual SNOTEL sensors that appear to be close to the CDT route in the south San Juans show snow depths for 5/19 of 31 inches at Wolf Creek Summit (11,000 feet), 10 inches at Upper San Juan (10,200 feet), 7 inches at Cumbres Trestle (10,040 feet), and one inch at Grayback (11,620 feet). Zero snowpack was indicated for Lily Pond (11,000 feet), Upper Rio Grande (9,400 feet), Beartown (11,600 feet), and Slumgullion (11,440 feet).

Thought Criminal

#4

Thanks TC, from SnoTel it looks like most places that still have snow are losing about 3" per day. I guess I am just worried these sensors are in nice sunny southern facing spots or something…Hard to believe it’s not even June and it’s showing as clear as it is.

A

#5

I was surprised to see this as it hasn’t been a light snow year at all. In mid April most places were 100% of normal or above. However, it melted rapidly this year! New stories are blaming it on dust storms… Interesting…

Gravity

#6

http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html?mode=pan&zoom=&center_x=+-104.37&center_y=+++36.42&ql=station&var=ssm_depth&dy=2009&dm=5&dd=19&dh=12&snap=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&min_x=-111.71666666667&min_y=33.150000000001&max_x=-100.38333333333&max_y=41.65&coord_x=+-104.37&coord_y=+++36.42&zbox_n=39.41166666666693&zbox_s=36.35166666666729&zbox_e=-104.32166666666565&zbox_w=-108.66611111111264&metric=0&bgvar=dem&width=600&height=450&nw=600&nh=450&font=0&js=1&uc=0

neighbor

#7

Wow that link whoops Snotel’s @$$.

Looks like there is still a lot of snow out there, esp in the South San Juans.

AZ

#8

Another place to inquire about snow conditions in Colorado is the peakbagging website www.14ers.com. You might find people there who have been out climbing high summits in the San Juans recently, who can give you their first hand report of conditions.

I’m planning to hike the CDT north from Cumbres Pass on June 21st. Any trips I take to the mountains before then will be much further north.

Thought Criminal

#9

I was up on Stony Pass last Monday. Snowdrifts about 6-8’ on top. (12’ this time last year) Lots of bare spots on S facing slopes. Its going to be gone early this year.

bearcreek