--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 scenic drive loop is back to opening its gates at 6 AM instead of 7 AM.
JOSHUA TREE:
--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.
NORTHWEST:
The snow that fell beginning Sunday and ended overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning gave the mountains 60cm+ of the white stuff in the Whistler area. All this snow fell on top of weak snow that consisted of sugary facets, crusts (on sunny aspects), and surface hoar (the solid/frozen equivalent of dew). During the peak of this storm, and immediately afterward, there was a widespread avalanche cycle in the mountains ~ all initiating on the above-noted weak layers. There were many slopes that did not release at that time - which makes one suspicious and a bit more cautious. Since then, the snowpack has settled a fair amount but much of the testing still indicates some inconsistency (for example: there is still 'whumpfing' of the snowpack in treeline areas ~ a sign that things are still sensitive in spots); it really depends upon where you are testing the snow. Some tests show strengthening and others highlight the need for a measure of caution. The confidence remains on
the low side for large and steep slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Unfortunately, it looks like there isn't much time for all this snow to cure a little more because the next round of weather/snow/wind is knocking at the door at the time of this writing...... meaning that the hazard is about to increase again with the forecasted winds/snowfall.
The last snowfall is helping to add cover to the mountains but there are two other hazards that are still on my mind to-date...... first, there are still many rocks hiding just below the surface of the snow so please be careful of, for example, exiting off of the glaciers and into terrain with no glaciated cover...... second, there are still many open or partially-bridged crevasses. In low or flat light, these hazards are difficult to see. If you plan to be travelling in glaciated terrain this season, then it would be prudent to have access to a rope, glacier-rescue kit, and to seek the knowledge of how to use this kit effectively/preventitively.
It's snowing outside right now..... looks like winter may have finally arrived.......
Wishing Everyone safe travels,
Dale Marcoux
ACMG Member
ACMG Assistant Ski Guide
--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.
--Forecast for Mount Rainier.
--Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
--Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.
--An up-to-date ski and snow report for the Northwest may be found here.
--We recently found a website which features great daily video conditions reports for Snoqualmie Pass. These are put together by the Snoqualmie Snow Troopers. Follow this link to watch.
--Up-to-date Pacific Northwest Ice Conditions may be found here.
--The Tieton River climbing areas have been closed for the season due to nesting raptors. To read more about this closure, click here.
--For up-to-date avalanche and weather reports in the Eastern Sierra, click here.
I'm currently looking out at basically a blizzard. We got about a foot of snow last night, Sugarbowl is calling for 18 to 24 inches today and another around 20 inches tonight!! It is on! This storm came in warm but it has cooled down and it is incredibly snowy!
ALPS:
--Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.
--Forecast for Denali
--Webcam for Denali National Park.
