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Has anyone been up there recently? Is the road open all the way to mosquito flat? What about snow level at the lakes? Wondering if I need to melt snow for water. Got any pictures of the area?

Thanks!

If you ask him nicely, I bet the Chief can tell you. If you ask nicely!

tb00957 wrote:Has anyone been up there recently? Is the road open all the way to mosquito flat? What about snow level at the lakes? Wondering if I need to melt snow for water. Got any pictures of the area?

Thanks!

As of 6/19
Gate is closed next to the lodge. Walk up a clear road to MF TH. Trail had patchy snow to heart lake.

Are the lakes past MF still iced over? I'm headed up to Treasure Lakes with a larger group this weekend and am debating how much fuel and how many stoves to bring assuming we can't dig down (through snow) to running water. Also, the road above the gate was close to clear when I went to climb Mt. Morgan over Memorial Day - does anyone have any idea why it hasn't been opened, yet? I assume it's just because of snow in the parking lot or something? Thanks in advance!

JD

The road is open to Mosquito Flats trail head now. There are patches of snow on the trail the first mile then it becomes solid snow from there on. Treasue Lakes are frozen, as is Ruby Lake. I took a few pictures last night but I haven't figured out how to put them on here yet ?

We went in June 25-27. Patches of snow starting about 10700 feet to Ruby lake, then it's continuous snow afterwards. We camped at 200 feet below mills lake, able to get water from the creek through a opening. We packed snow shoes, but probably can get by without with a bit of postholing, mostly consolidated.

tb00957 wrote:We went in June 25-27. Patches of snow starting about 10700 feet to Ruby lake, then it's continuous snow afterwards. We camped at 200 feet below mills lake, able to get water from the creek through a opening. We packed snow shoes, but probably can get by without with a bit of postholing, mostly consolidated.

Wow, seems the runoff won't really get going until well into July.

BTW, mosquitos are already showing up in the parking lot. Pack bug juice.

tb00957, how's the trail up to Ruby and/or Gem lakes, and how's the camping surface, is it on snow? Any stream crossings? Would you consider waterproof boots and/or 4-season tent mandatory?

I'm considering going this coming weekend, have a 4-season tent but not waterproof boots.

Since the weather forecast is good I would not consider a 4 season tent necessary, or even desirable, regardless of the snow-on-the-ground conditions. A four season tent is really only necessary when snow might be blowing through your screens.

Can even take a 1 season floorless version, with a ground tarp, if desired.

Chad, I have a group of friends in that area right now. Home made 4 man tarp and a couple of ground sheets is all they took for shelter. We've done this before even in harsh winter weather. Those BD's are nice though.

You didn't go with them?

mrchad9 wrote:You didn't go with them?

Long story, but the backcountry has not been a place I've been able to explore for over 2 years now due to health woes.

goldenhopper wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:You didn't go with them?

Long story, but the backcountry has not been a place I've been able to explore for over 2 years now due to health woes.

Oh dear. This isn't something you caught from Uma Thurman is it?

mrchad9 wrote:

goldenhopper wrote:

mrchad9 wrote:You didn't go with them?

Long story, but the backcountry has not been a place I've been able to explore for over 2 years now due to health woes.

Oh dear. This isn't something you caught from Uma Thurman is it?

Nope, Heather Graham.