Spring road conditions

idsnowghost · Apr 25, 2017

As roads melt out, maybe it would be helpful to have a thread to share conditions we find when accessing the high country. I'll start off with a couple links to forest road reports.. (calling the closest ranger station is also helpful!)

Add what you find out there!

Idaho Panhandle NF road conditions page (randomly updated despite what it says): https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ipnf/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd537431

Saw there's a bunch of closures up near Bonners Ferry accessing the Selkirks: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/cs/newsarchives?ss=110104&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003753&navid=120000000000000&pnavid=null&position=Closures&ttype=newsarchives

k.p0w · Apr 26, 2017

Cedar Lakes Trailhead in the Cabinet Mountains is accessible now. AlpineUnderground, IceBerg_eleen, Jonah, and I used it to ski off the summit of Scenery Mountain. Great tour!

idsnowghost · Apr 30, 2017

Albian Hill Rd on Sherman Pass is still snowed in with 3-4 feet. Snowmobile from the parking lot with a couple stream openings to deal with down low then full throttle. (edit: log down just before old stage TH)

Saw photos to suggest Scotchman Peak TH is "drivable" now in a 4x4.

k.p0w · Apr 30, 2017

Nice!

Brandon · May 1, 2017

Road to Hunt Lake melted out to the 4 mile mark. 1 mile of patchy snow/dirt riding on the sleds, then all snow to the TH. Lines off of Hunt Pk and Gunsight holding lots of snow and massive cornices. Fair amount of recent wet slide debris visible.

Randonick · May 3, 2017

Brandon said:
Road to Hunt Lake melted out to the 4 mile mark. 1 mile of patchy snow/dirt riding on the sleds, then all snow to the TH. Lines off of Hunt Pk and Gunsight holding lots of snow and massive cornices. Fair amount of recent wet slide debris visible.

You sure it was the right road?

k.p0w · May 3, 2017

Trailhead to Engle Peak and Wanless Lake/Goat Peak in the Cabs are clear.

Also, so is the road to the logging gate below Flat Top Mountain (north of Schweitzer)

HBR · May 7, 2017

If anyone is interested both ways to the Stevens lake trailhead are open.

k.p0w · May 7, 2017

At this point the road to Mt. Casey/Caribou lake is clear until about 4000 ft.

wordbird · May 8, 2017

Hoodoo Pass/Lake approach is in perfect condition from Montana side. Can drive to about 4.5k'(about a mile below the road makes the big bend over the creek). Return hiking trail still has snow on it.

idsnowghost · May 14, 2017

Moon Pass open to summit. Closed beyond.

matmaster · May 20, 2017

Washington Pass is open!

http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2017/may/18/north-cascades-highway-snow-cleared-open-vehicle-traffic/

k.p0w · May 20, 2017

I'm here now!

alpineunderground · May 20, 2017

k.p0w said:
I'm here now!

Oh Jason, you little devil, you.

Chiller · May 27, 2017

Road to caribou lake has some trees across not far from the start. Nothing big but a saw or come along would be helpful. Looking down from caribou peak, road past creek crossing looks clear to 3rd switch back then bigger snow patches.

idsnowghost · May 27, 2017

Road clear to Mollies TH above Priest. But watch out for a couple of those last few waterbars!

In the Bitteroots, Heart Lake TH on Hoodoo Pass is accessible. Patchy snow for first mile of trail.

Can drive to 5k' at Cliff Lake.

idsnowghost · May 31, 2017

Gold Pass (Avery to St. Regis) is plowed open.

Schenk · Jun 1, 2017

Thanks for the reports idsnowghost!

Schenk · Jun 5, 2017

Well, you can drive quite a ways up Reed's Creek now, but there is no more snow worth skiing up there.

idsnowghost · Jun 8, 2017

Road clear to Hidden Lake TH. (one 3ft drift just before bridge that will probably be passable in a couple days)