Webmaster
05-25-2008, 06:21 AM
Last weekend’s beautiful weather can’t fully erase winter’s heavy snows at Mount Rainier.
JEFFREY P. MAYOR; jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
Published: May 22nd, 2008 01:00 AM
Park officials could not have asked for better weather for the reopening of Paradise Inn last weekend.
It was 78 degrees on Friday shortly before the official ceremony began. At that time, 183 inches of snow remained on the ground.
By Monday morning, the snowpack had shrunk 16 inches.
It made for a great time to snowshoe. Many folks trekking above Jackson Visitor Center were wearing shorts and T-shirts. By the end of the day, red faces and limbs gave away those who had forgotten sunscreen.
CAMP MUIR RUSH
From the observation lounge atop the visitor center, the line of hikers ascending to Camp Muir looked like a photo from the Klondike Gold Rush showing a steady stream of prospectors headed up Chilkoot Pass.
While I watched Saturday afternoon, there were more than 100 people tromping up the snow field, bound for the climbers’ respite at 10,000 feet.
Word is at least one of the climbing companies had its clients don snowshoes for the ascent because the snow was so soft.
BAD-WEATHER NEWS
Because of the heavy winter snows – 898 inches at Paradise – many anticipated spring opening dates for park facilities have been pushed back. Here’s a rundown:
FACILITIES
Cougar Rock Campground will not open until June 6.
Ohanapecosh Campground will open as scheduled on Friday.
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center opening has been delayed until June 13.
White River WIC will not open on Sunday. An opening date has not been set.
ROADS
Cayuse Pass: Opening of Highways 410 and 123 from the north park boundary south to U.S. 12 is tentatively scheduled for early next week.
Chinook Pass: No opening date has been announced by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Stevens Canyon Road: Connecting the east and west sides of the park, it will unlikely open before this weekend. Because of the number and size of slides, crews will most likely open the road in mid-June.
Sunrise Road: The target opening is July 3.
HIKING
Hikers should anticipate 100 percent snow cover on all trails above 3,000 feet. The trail melt-out will be late this year, and backpackers planning trips on the Wonderland Trail should anticipate a lot of travel on snow throughout July.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640
blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure If you go
Check the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/mora or call 360-569-2211, Ext. 2334 for information on road and facility status before heading to the park.
from: http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/369919.html
JEFFREY P. MAYOR; jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
Published: May 22nd, 2008 01:00 AM
Park officials could not have asked for better weather for the reopening of Paradise Inn last weekend.
It was 78 degrees on Friday shortly before the official ceremony began. At that time, 183 inches of snow remained on the ground.
By Monday morning, the snowpack had shrunk 16 inches.
It made for a great time to snowshoe. Many folks trekking above Jackson Visitor Center were wearing shorts and T-shirts. By the end of the day, red faces and limbs gave away those who had forgotten sunscreen.
CAMP MUIR RUSH
From the observation lounge atop the visitor center, the line of hikers ascending to Camp Muir looked like a photo from the Klondike Gold Rush showing a steady stream of prospectors headed up Chilkoot Pass.
While I watched Saturday afternoon, there were more than 100 people tromping up the snow field, bound for the climbers’ respite at 10,000 feet.
Word is at least one of the climbing companies had its clients don snowshoes for the ascent because the snow was so soft.
BAD-WEATHER NEWS
Because of the heavy winter snows – 898 inches at Paradise – many anticipated spring opening dates for park facilities have been pushed back. Here’s a rundown:
FACILITIES
Cougar Rock Campground will not open until June 6.
Ohanapecosh Campground will open as scheduled on Friday.
Ohanapecosh Visitor Center opening has been delayed until June 13.
White River WIC will not open on Sunday. An opening date has not been set.
ROADS
Cayuse Pass: Opening of Highways 410 and 123 from the north park boundary south to U.S. 12 is tentatively scheduled for early next week.
Chinook Pass: No opening date has been announced by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Stevens Canyon Road: Connecting the east and west sides of the park, it will unlikely open before this weekend. Because of the number and size of slides, crews will most likely open the road in mid-June.
Sunrise Road: The target opening is July 3.
HIKING
Hikers should anticipate 100 percent snow cover on all trails above 3,000 feet. The trail melt-out will be late this year, and backpackers planning trips on the Wonderland Trail should anticipate a lot of travel on snow throughout July.
Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640
blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure If you go
Check the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/mora or call 360-569-2211, Ext. 2334 for information on road and facility status before heading to the park.
from: http://www.thenewstribune.com/adventure/story/369919.html