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Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:47 am
by Burchey
MooseTracks wrote:Adam, we didn't make it near as far up there as I thought we might. Something to do with fun and sledding...

But this past week's storm only brought a few inches of snow, most of which was redistributed in winds on Saturday. Read: crust over unconsolidated crap, so I would think snow shoes are going to be helpful for getting through the basin to the base of the climb. A few more weeks might help some, but I was postholing up to my thigh around 9500ft (Wait, when am I NOT postholing... hurmmm...)

North arete looked fairly clean from a distance. Forgive me if I wish for a shit-ton of snow in the next few weeks. Mama Moosie wants a decent spring season... ;)

Good luck, AB!

-L


Moose, thanks for the insight on conditions. I might pick your brain on the path of least resistance (in general) when heading up that way, I think there might be a few options. I had enough of your precious snow this weekend, took a small avi to the face on the upper pitches of Moonage in Sequoia. Mama Burchey no likey.

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:59 am
by Princess Buttercup
Yeah, we caught one of those on Mendel last spring. Decidedly unfun. And I thought you were playing up on Thor this weekend? Little weather freaked you out? ;)

Be safe out there.

-L

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 7:28 am
by pjc30943
Anyone have an update on BCS and/or road conditions after this weekend, after what might have been recent snow? Still looking at a 7+ mile approach?

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 3:10 pm
by dshoshone
The road is still closed at East Fork campground for the snowpark, and will be for a while. There is about 3 ft. of snow at the Mosquito Flat trail head.

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:13 am
by Sierra Ledge Rat
Deb wrote:...post-hole madness...


Sign me up!

Not!!

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:16 pm
by Deb
Speaking of which, I climbed McGee Mtn yesterday and had beautiful consolidated snow which turned to thigh deep post-hole, on the way down I found extremely hard and fast "should I unpack my crampons" snow, but it was not ice. What a cornicopia!

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 4:29 am
by artrock23
dshoshone wrote:The road is still closed at East Fork campground for the snowpark, and will be for a while. There is about 3 ft. of snow at the Mosquito Flat trail head.


Can anyone furnish an update to this information? I'm considering Mt. Dade in mid-April.

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:24 pm
by SideTrip
artrock23 wrote:
dshoshone wrote:The road is still closed at East Fork campground for the snowpark, and will be for a while. There is about 3 ft. of snow at the Mosquito Flat trail head.


Can anyone furnish an update to this information? I'm considering Mt. Dade in mid-April.


Artrock23, I just got back from up in that area yesterday with an attempt at Mount Dade with my girlfriend. The road is currently still closed at East Fork Campground (snow park) but they were plowing it as we left. The guy plowing said it would be open to Rock Creek Lake this weekend (April 6-7) which will help a lot on the approach. Not sure when it will be plowed to Mosquito Flat TH. There isn't near as much snow as there has been in years past from what I've been told but the hourglass couloir was still pretty soft. In fact we were post holing most of the way up except for one icy patch about 30-40 ft near the top where we had to kick steps.

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 2:36 pm
by Deb
As of 23 April, the road is closed at pack station. I'm taking a trot down towards Morgan Pass Thur nite, will give update on road/trail conditions.
Anxiously awaiting Pie in the Sky opening!

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:24 pm
by Deb
Very neat bike'n hike almost to Gem Lake; post-holing at 9PM was a bit too annoying to continue to Morgan Pass. Road still closed at pack station; sporadic coverage on road to MF (actually quite hazardous on mtn bike with slicks!). Trail to Gem Lake was mainly snow covered but plenty mud stomping and rock hopping too. We post-holed to crotch-stop as we neared Chickenfoot Lake. Danggitall in the dark with a precious bottle of wine!
As it is barely freezing each night, I would recommend snowshoes for anyone headed in that direction. Ick!
Full moon in the BC is always worth the pain. :)

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 10:09 pm
by Deb
Hourglass is "split" at top with rock/dirt so you could ski either side. Very nice coverage into the bowl. I'd love to know snow conditions passing Ruby Lake to Mills Lk. Shoulda gone that way last nite. :(

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 4:25 am
by artrock23
3Deserts wrote:Jesus, is there any place in the Sierra not involving crazy post-holing right now?


Maybe Kahuna could grace us with an update, since he knows where the firm snow is and the 'correct' method for crossing it. :wink:

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Fri May 03, 2013 11:00 pm
by dshoshone
The road to Mosquito Flat trailhead is now open. Only a few patches of snow to the top of Mono Pass

Re: Bear Creek Spire - Rock Creek Road?

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2013 10:36 pm
by BHunewill
Took a short walk to Long Lake this morning (May 5):