Charleston South Loop Parking
Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:15 pm
Went up to snowshoe the south loop trail yesterday, the 'normal' parking lot at the cathedral rock trailhead (@ the outhouse) is blockaded by concrete barriers. The official parking lot for winter fun is the echo trailhead parking lot (near the LVVWD well). This is the only parking lot that is plowed. To get from the echo trailhead to the SL trailhead, follow the echo trail, to the cathedral rock trail, then there are some paths across the avalanche debris field to the picnic area where the SL trail starts. I'm sure that the blockade is to prevent the parking and sledding chaos that happened on most weekends, but the downside is an extra 45mins to get from the parking lot to the SL trailhead, so plan accordingly.
As far as the snow conditions, about 1 - 1.5' unconsolidated on the SL trail, and about 3' unconsolidated in the Griffith chute. The waterfalls in the chute are not yet covered.
As far as the snow conditions, about 1 - 1.5' unconsolidated on the SL trail, and about 3' unconsolidated in the Griffith chute. The waterfalls in the chute are not yet covered.