View Full Version : WY conditions this year?
KnittingMelissa
03-11-2010, 19:49
The University out in WY is letting out for Spring Break next week, and, instead of falling over drunk in a pool of my own vomit like some students are planning, I was thinking of hitting the trail for a few days.
Is the trail through Medicine Bow passable at the moment? Is it passable normally at all? Are there any trees there for my hammock (okay, that one I really need to know). :sun
In 2008 in mid-June there were many feet of snow. Don't know how it is now, but this (http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/support/water/westwide/snowpack/wy2010/snow1003.gif) might help. Seemed like plenty of trees to hang in, however!
KnittingMelissa
03-11-2010, 20:10
Many feet of snow? Ack, I may have to rethink this plan then, I'm not currently all that cut out for hiking in the snow. Now I can't think of any hiking in the south WY/north CO area that's open right now. Bleh. :banana
Of course, I could always just suck it in and rent snow shoes. Silly snow shoes, you annoy me so! :sun
neighbor dave
03-11-2010, 20:40
here's an "interactive chart" for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html?mode=pan&zoom=¢er_x=+-101.8¢er_y=+++36.9&ql=station&var=ssm_swe&dy=2010&dm=3&dd=11&dh=12&snap=1&o9=1&o12=1&o13=1&lbl=m&min_x=-125&min_y=16.500000000001&max_x=-65.000000000002&max_y=61.5&coord_x=+-101.8&coord_y=+++36.9&zbox_n=49.95000000000026&zbox_s=36.750000000000554&zbox_e=-101.75000000000078&zbox_w=-112.65000000000042&metric=0&bgvar=dem&width=600&height=450&nw=600&nh=450&h_o=0&font=0&js=1&uc=0
fiddlehead
03-11-2010, 20:50
In '98 there were many feet of snow in that area in June also (mid-June)
Good luck.
I'm sure the great basin or red desert area will be passable but i wouldn't really wish that hike on anyone.
Maybe try that trail out of Encampment along the creek??? (much lower elevation)
At least the amount of snow seen right out of town should give you an idea of what lies further up.
Good luck.
sasquatch2014
03-11-2010, 22:17
Many feet of snow? Ack, I may have to rethink this plan then, I'm not currently all that cut out for hiking in the snow. Now I can't think of any hiking in the south WY/north CO area that's open right now. Bleh. :banana
Of course, I could always just suck it in and rent snow shoes. Silly snow shoes, you annoy me so! :sun
Why limit yourself to only that area. If you have the time in a half day drive you could be down in the Spanish Peaks area of Colorado south of Pueblo and I am sure that will be much more open. You could head over to Flaming Gorge but still will be pretty chilly but will most likely be open. You could go and do the Great Sand Dunes National Monument for that matter they should be reachable by now. There is a ton of great areas out there if nothing else make it a week of a road trip with tons of Day hikes and car camp it in between.
KnittingMelissa
03-12-2010, 13:54
Why limit yourself to only that area. If you have the time in a half day drive you could be down in the Spanish Peaks area of Colorado south of Pueblo and I am sure that will be much more open. You could head over to Flaming Gorge but still will be pretty chilly but will most likely be open. You could go and do the Great Sand Dunes National Monument for that matter they should be reachable by now. There is a ton of great areas out there if nothing else make it a week of a road trip with tons of Day hikes and car camp it in between.
I actually don't know the area that well as hiking/camping goes, so I just found one path that I knew existed. It doesn't help that the WY tourism board's idea of camping is in a park with internet access and what not.
But thanks for the heads up, I'll look into those areas! :sun