Conditions Report - June 16 2010

NORTHWEST:

-- Usual by now, there is low avalanche danger...but this season has seen a great deal of late-season snow. Coupled with the sunny weekend forecast, we receveid thsi report on Friday June 11th: "Heavy late spring snowfall last week combined with expected sunshine and warm weather at high elevations will create the very dangerous conditions this weekend, especially in terrain above 8,000 feet on volcanoes. Hikers should particularly avoid Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Glacier Peak and Mt. Baker. “It is dangerous now, but we expect it to get worse this weekend with the warm temperatures and highest freezing levels since last summer,” said Kenny Kramer, avalanche meteorologist. Check out this report for a Coleman ski tour.
Photo Credit Jeremy Luscher

--That said, what a beautiful northwest weekend. You don't see many trip reports for such an obscure crag - Check out this report for Mt. Garfield climbing (especially if you've had thought about doing Infinite Bliss.)

--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.

--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.

--Webcam for Leavenworth and the Stuart Range.
--Sno-Park permits are available for purchase in Washington State. To purchase a permit and/or read more about them click here.

--Forecast for Mount Rainier.
-- Route and Conditions Report from Mt. Baker Rangers: Mount Baker Climbing Blog.

--Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

--Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.

--Webcams for Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Leavenworth.

--An up-to-date ski and snow report for the Northwest may be found here.

--Up-to-date Pacific Northwest ice conditions may be found here.

ALASKA RANGE:

-- The latest news from our guides who are about to fly out to Denali: "We split into two teams for two planes. The first one got loaded up started taxing down the runway but got called back because fog just rolled into basecamp. They can’t see the Kahiltna Icefall which is a key indicator of what pilots are going to see or not see." Good luck, team....


--Forecast for Denali.

--For the most current updates on Alaska, please see our Dispatch Blog.


SIERRA:


-- Check out this trip report for the Valley - Cathedral Spires. Lots of good pictures...

Photo Credit "nutjob", Supertopo.com

--This is one of the best forums we've found for Sierra conditions - even Sierra gas prices.
"The Tuolumne Meadows gas station is open. Last Friday its prices were better than those at the Lee Vining Mobile station."

-- The Yosemite Half Dome cables and Lakes Basin are set to open June 16th. Click here and here for more info.

-- A Tioga road plowing report can be found here.

-- Mt. Whitney lottery info can be found here.

--For up-to-date avalanche and weather reports in the Eastern Sierra, click here.

--Webcams for Bishop, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass.



ALPS:


--Chamonix and Mont Blanc Regional Forecasts may be found here.

--Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.


RED ROCK CANYON:


-- Too hot to climb in Red Rock right now? See this thread.

-- The main campground is closed. Please see this article for more info.

--Forecast and average temperatures for Red Rock Canyon.

--Webcam for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.--The late exit and overnight permit number for Red Rock Canyon is 702-515-5050. If there is any chance that you will be inside the park after closing, be sure to call this number so that you don't get a ticket.--The entrance to the scenic drive had a parking area for those who wanted to carpool up until approximately April of 2009. That lot has now become employee parking and people who want to carpool are required to park at the lot outside the Scenic Drive exit.

--The scenic drive currently opens its gates at 6 in the morning.

JOSHUA TREE:

-- Certain areas of J Tree are closed due to Raptor nesting season. Check out Friends of Joshua Tree for more information.

--Forecast and average temperatures for Joshua Tree National Park.

--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.