Hey! Moab, Thanks for the photos, looks like it's melting off, but still enough for me to wear boots, not light hiking shoes, & I'll bring my ice axe & crampons.

You're welcome! But Moab is someone else!

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to do SLT to Griffith on Thursday. Anyone been up there lately or have info on snow conditions in the chute/switchbacks? Crampons/snowshoes?
Also, any info on the current parking situation?

Cheers,
FM

Last week folks snowshoed to the top of Mummy. North route on North Sister may/may not require crampons for the last steep bit. Powder and somewhat consolidated snow on frozen ground. Extrapolate.

http://www.skilasvegas.com/winter/index.html

Well, according to the visitor center, there is no parking available--anywhere--on 157. Maybe I didn't ask the right questions, since I don't know all the secrets, but that sounds totally wrong to me. Oh well...

Usually, at this time of year, people park on the first left by the turn to Mary Jane Falls-- then they walk back on that trail to the South Loop. Sorry, I've forgotten the name of that turn-off. It will give an extra 0.7 miles each way.

You might be happier trying Mummy via Trail Canyon.

FugueManiac wrote:Hi everyone,

I'm looking to do SLT to Griffith on Thursday. Anyone been up there lately or have info on snow conditions in the chute/switchbacks? Crampons/snowshoes?
Also, any info on the current parking situation?

Cheers,
FM

Have you heard of the current conditions yet? Snowshoes crampons/skiable? A friend and I are doing an alpine start for time restraints on Thursday as well. At Harris TH about 4:30a.
Hope your summit goes well.

jodd wrote:Have you heard of the current conditions yet? Snowshoes crampons/skiable? A friend and I are doing an alpine start for time restraints on Thursday as well. At Harris TH about 4:30a.
Hope your summit goes well.

Check 4 messages up. About 40" snow at 9000', much more than in the Sierra, especially on N-facing slopes. Friends who were just there don't mention avalanche danger, but remember why the chute up Griffith is called "the avalanche chute." Mescalito (on SP) just went up Mummy from Foxtail-- that's an extremely steep route, and I think he did in snowshoes, but he used crampons for the last part of North Sister. By Harris TH, do you mean Harris Springs Road? Much of that road is S-facing, but don't be surprised by slippery drifts in the shadows. Also, when the trail cuts up from the Griffith-Harris saddle, the switchbacks are often covered with snow, and it can be surprisingly dangerous in that stretch (that's the only bad spot on that side).

Mescalito's 12/27 trip:
http://pkuroda.smugmug.com/Landscapes/M ... 59_XXLZsrS

Went up SLT today to the saddle. some hard slick ice from Echo TH where I started but nothing of note afterwards until the cave. Some large snow chunks showing signs of shifting with disturbance on switchbacks (caution). Snowshoes needed until just after switchbacks by cave (about 50yrds of intermittent minimal snow). snow pretty consistent after that. Just below the saddle the trail wanders a bit so it's hard to follow unless going straight up (many lines of others to follow, so not cutting trail). On top of saddle there are snow drifts some hard, some soft, some spots bare. Safe climbing!

I just hiked up to the Griffith Peak and Charleston Peak via SLT. The trail had broken all the way up to the Griffith Saddle. The snow is only few inches - one feet deep and you don't need snowshoes. I just used Yak Trax and Crampons. Actually, there were no snow on the trail at many sections.
The last section to the Griffith Peak was fully covered with snow, but its well packed and easy to make it with snowshoes or crampons.
The trail over the ridge line has only few inches of snow on the trail. It was icy in the morning and could walk on it, but it gets soft in the afternoon. The last 1.5 miles to the Charleston Peak doesn't get snow on the mountain. I just hiked with boots at that section and didn't get any trouble.
Here is my trip report and pictures.
http://www.vegashikers.com/pic/20120105/p1.html

I didn't see much snow on South facing slopes of mountain. If you are planning for snowshoeing, better postpone until we get next major snow.

Has anyone been up charleston recently? I will be in Vegas around the 22nd and was thinking to do this one, so I'm curious if anyone can tell me what it's like. thanks.

There were 9" of fluffy snow recently, probably already melted off on S-facing slopes. It has been the driest year that I recall. I saw the peaks from LaMadre last Thursday; it looked more like May than March.

sounds intriguing. I was planning to take microspikes and snowshoes but sounds like the 'shoes won't be needed.

mountainal wrote:sounds intriguing. I was planning to take microspikes and snowshoes but sounds like the 'shoes won't be needed.

There are pockets of very deep snow. See the ski area report. It's beyond microspike season; consider crampons.

Which route did you plan?

There are pockets of very deep snow. See the ski area report. It's beyond microspike season; consider crampons.

Which route did you plan?[/quote]
I was planning for SLT. Re-considering with the forecasted storm coming in. Damn this screwy weather this year.