SummitPost.org

Hi...

Just like the title says, I was wondering when road access to the locked gate typically ends due to snow.

October is probably OK, but what about early November?

Thanks!

its a tough call -
the research station tries to keep it open until the end of Oct - weather permitting
The Forest Service likes to close it as soon as possible
there are multiple gates on the road and they close as conditions warrant -
check the White Mountain Research Station website

I happened to call the White Mountain ranger station today because I was curious about hitting White Mountain this weekend. They informed me that the road is completely open, however you might encounter snow/ice on the road after Schulman Grove where the pavement ends for the approximately 17 miles to Barcroft Gate.

Excellent. Thanks for the info.

Might give it a go in a few days--before it gets any colder.

One more question about White Mtn...

Any reason to be concerned about marmots?

Couple of websites are warning about those crafty devils gnawing through the hoses and cables of parked cars at the trailhead.

We were up there back in mid-August. We saw one enormously fat marmot at the trailhead the evening prior to our hike, so we laid out the cheap tarp, drove up onto it, and tied it up around the car like a diaper. But, in retrospect, I think that it was pointless paranoia, as the other cars at the lot had no marmot problems whatsoever. With all the snow last winter, the above-treeline-tundra vegetation was still somewhat green, so it was a good year to be a marmot; they had better things to eat than cars.



Although they plowed the road smooth this year (we drove our old Saturn up there) one person had a flat tire at the trailhead when we arrived. They don't call it the "Flat Tire Highway" for nothing. Drive slowly and avoid the sharp pointy rocks.

Enjoy the hike!

Update...

Just after the turnoff for Patriarch Grove, the road is blocked by snow.

That leaves you with an extra 4-5 miles each way if you decide to do it anyway.

The closest place that's big enough to leave a car is the aforementioned intersection; not sure if it's legal to park there.

FYI the road to Patriarch Grove is also snowed in. It's apparently the shadowy side of the mountain...