Hey All-
Been out most days in RMNP the last month, summitted Longs Peak a few times as well as Hallett, Falttop, etc in the process of ski mountaineering. Thought this updated conditions report might be helpful- enjoy!
http://climbinglife.com/current-rmnp-conditions/april-5th-conditions-report.html
Eli Helmuth
AMGA Certified Rock, Alpine, and Ski Mountaineering Guide
http://www.guide.climbinglife.com

Thanks as always for the updates!

Bump...how much some new update?!

In general, no snow to 9750' on south and east faces, 9500 on north and west faces. Trail Ridge is open.
Specifics? http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/t ... itions.htm

Cool...How much snow might I be looking at on Hallet, Sundance, and Glacier Gorge in last week of June?

Sundance? If you plan on climbing it from Trail Ridge probably none(or just avoidable patches), if you're starting in the trees expect snow at about 10700'.

Hallett peak from Flattop you'll hit snow after the Lake Helene intersection probably until treeline, so maybe from 10000'-11200', then one big drift just before the summit of Flattop, then avoidable drifts to the summit of Hallett. In late June you should have a well packed trail over 2-4 feet of snow, but I'd bring snowshoes just in case, postholing in the afternoon isn't fun for 1.5 miles.

On Glacier Gorge, the bridge crossing Icy Brook is broken, so unless they fix it soon (which they probably will) you might have to do a water crossing. I havent seen the bridge over Icy Brook, but the year before a nearby bridge snapped at the middle and made a sort of V into the water. It was crossible, the NPS just didnt recommend it. So that bridge might be crossible, if not just look for a fallen tree and backtrack down to the other side. Lots of snow in Glacier Gorge, ranging from 3-12 feet in the drifts, but you should have a semi-packed trail to follow at least to Mills Lake. After that you might just have a couple of tracks to Black Lake.

Trail: Emerald L. Overlook
Date: 6/11/11
By: Volunteer
From Bear Lake Trailhead to Flattop/ Bierstadt Junction packed, intermittent snow. Then soon continuous snow 1-7' deep. Summer trail and other tracks mix but all lead to Dream Lake Overlook. Many switchbacks between Dream and Emerald Lake Overlook are snowfree.

Trail: Mills Lake
Date: 6/12/11
By: Park Ranger
Due to rapid snow melt the first bridge to Mills Lake (after Mills/Loch Junction) is out. Please plan accordingly. The trail to Mills Lake is particularly difficult to cross. The "Snow Bridge" is melting fast and NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CROSSING. **EXERCISE CAUTION!

I'm getting ready to climb Long's Peak (via Keyhole) early next week and am curious to hear from anyone who has been on the keyhole route to Long's Peak this week or has other helpful information.

Utlaugh wrote:I'm getting ready to climb Long's Peak (via Keyhole) early next week and am curious to hear from anyone who has been on the keyhole route to Long's Peak this week or has other helpful information.

Lower trail is interspersed with large dry areas and patchy muddy sections. A few snow drifts make their appearance about ~2 miles before treeline. They continue well past treeline interspersed with bulletproof sections and dry.
Pretty much typical for this time of the year. Even in the afternoon on the descent, I wouldn't bother bringing snowshoes. There's enough of a packed trail to thawart excessive postholing.
The ledges past the keyhole is mostly dry...probably 75% dry. The Trough however, is still very much filled in. Crampons and axe are NECESSARY.
I don't know what the south side (narrows/homestretch) is like.

With the exception of a few sections at treeline, Twin Sisters is completely dry.
There's some recent pics of "The Loft" over at 14ers.com.
I'll try and get some recent pics posted of the west side later tonight.

Thanks Kiefer. Kinda disappointed about not necessarily needing snowshoes. Any suggestions for a day hike near LP CG. I'm coming from Michigan and plan on spending a day and a half acclimating so want to be in/stay in the 9000-10,000. Thanks. P.S. Great Pictures. I already can't concentrate at work - your pictures didn't help.

Kiefer Thomas wrote:

Utlaugh wrote:I'm getting ready to climb Long's Peak (via Keyhole) early next week and am curious to hear from anyone who has been on the keyhole route to Long's Peak this week or has other helpful information.

Lower trail is interspersed with large dry areas and patchy muddy sections. A few snow drifts make their appearance about ~2 miles before treeline. They continue well past treeline interspersed with bulletproof sections and dry.
Pretty much typical for this time of the year. Even in the afternoon on the descent, I wouldn't bother bringing snowshoes. There's enough of a packed trail to thawart excessive postholing.
The ledges past the keyhole is mostly dry...probably 75% dry. The Trough however, is still very much filled in. Crampons and axe are NECESSARY.
I don't know what the south side (narrows/homestretch) is like.

With the exception of a few sections at treeline, Twin Sisters is completely dry.
There's some recent pics of "The Loft" over at 14ers.com.
I'll try and get some recent pics posted of the west side later tonight.

Any info on Keplinger's?

CSUMarmot wrote:Sundance? If you plan on climbing it from Trail Ridge probably none(or just avoidable patches), if you're starting in the trees expect snow at about 10700'.

Hallett peak from Flattop you'll hit snow after the Lake Helene intersection probably until treeline, so maybe from 10000'-11200', then one big drift just before the summit of Flattop, then avoidable drifts to the summit of Hallett. In late June you should have a well packed trail over 2-4 feet of snow, but I'd bring snowshoes just in case, postholing in the afternoon isn't fun for 1.5 miles.

On Glacier Gorge, the bridge crossing Icy Brook is broken, so unless they fix it soon (which they probably will) you might have to do a water crossing. I havent seen the bridge over Icy Brook, but the year before a nearby bridge snapped at the middle and made a sort of V into the water. It was crossible, the NPS just didnt recommend it. So that bridge might be crossible, if not just look for a fallen tree and backtrack down to the other side. Lots of snow in Glacier Gorge, ranging from 3-12 feet in the drifts, but you should have a semi-packed trail to follow at least to Mills Lake. After that you might just have a couple of tracks to Black Lake.

Thanks for the info, I might choose a different hike other than Glacier Gorge just because of the snowpack. Being from WA I definitely don't 'fear snow' but I'd just like to keep this as snow-free as possible.

Chris Sheridan on MP just posted this pic of Longs (Window)

Chasm Lake...do you need snowshoes still? I'm going there Monday...

Yes