BACKCOUNTRY SNOW REPORT
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Current Conditions | Useful Links

SMG's Snow report is for the snow conditions in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. We report on conditions as we see them, or from reports we get from our friends. This snow report is for snow quality and coverage conditions, not for anything related to stability of the snowpack on backcountry slopes. For the backcountry avalanche advisory please visit the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center website. Be aware that snow conditions can change rapidly. You need to be aware and knowledgeable of factors leading to unstable snow, and perceptive enough to shift gears in poor conditions. We highly recommend taking an avalanche course that focuses on backcountry decision making before entering into avalanche terrain. Contact us with your snow observations!

April 9 , 2010: Check out video below. Great ski mountaineering conditions at high altitudes. North faces and bowls are holding boot deep powder snow. South faces are cream corn around 11AM. Get it while it...er...hot.

As always check the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center for the latest avy bulletin at www.esavalanche.org. We are anticipating that this storm will result in a period of increased avalanche danger that may catch folks by surprise. ESAC will be a great resource for finding out if new windslabs are bonding well to the variety of sliding surfaces out there. Have patience and stay savvy.

For earlier SMG conditions reports check out our YouTube Page!

April 9, 2010

March 25, 2010

 

Click here to see Snow Reports from the 09/10 season.

 

Trailhead Conditions 2010:

-Whitney Portal: Road closed at bottom. Large wet slide debris in road at 7300ft. Dry pavement below. (3/24)
-Onion Valley: Road closed at bottom. Driveable to big Sardine Canyon hairpin. (3/24)
-Big Pine Creek/ McMurray Meadows: Road plowed to Glacier Lodge. McMurray Meadows Road fully driveable (3/28)
-Bishop Creek: South Lake Road- plowing has begun, but plow trucks blockaded road. 168 plowed to Sabrina, gated. North Lake road patchy from intersection. (4/3)
-Buttermilk/ Mt. Tom: Buttermilk road rough, but dry to Peabody Boulders and about 3 miles beyond. Elderberry approach snow free, some walking required. (4/1)
-Rock Creek: Normal winter closure, Sno Park. Plowing? (4/1)
-McGee Creek: Closed to Crowley Lake Drive (3/27)
-Convict Creek: Normal winter closure at Lake
-Mammoth Lakes Basin: Park next to Tamarack.
-June Lake Loop: Normal winter closure @ Rush Creek. Road past Silver and Grant Lakes is plowed to some degree. Good coverage all the way down to 158 from various angles. (3/18)
-Tioga Pass: Closed dude. Patchy pavement and snow. Plowing has begun.
-Virginia Lakes: No report.
-Twin Lakes: Road open to the end.

 

Useful Links:

Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center Advisory

ESAC Weather Links

Sierra Avalanche Center Advisory

Useful Local Blogs:

Scott Weaver

Sierra Descents

Telemark Tips

The Backcountry

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