Backcountry Conditions

Tanglewood Trail

Sunday, June 29

This trail is north of Bailey and crosses the ridge running from Mt. Evans to Conifer. It is mostly dry with a snowfield at the top of the ridge, just the right consistency for kicking steps. Scattered snowfields above timberline. If snow bothers you, maybe wait another week or two before going high above timberline. - Keith Jensen

Looking up the ridge from 12,000' towards Rosalie, 13,500'.

The alpine flowers are out.

Herman Gulch

Saturday, June 21

Herman Gulch is on the north side of I-70 and the trailhead is two exits east of Eisenhower Tunnel. The trail was wet in the valley and snow encountered before timberline. Lot of snow from timberline and above. Snowshoes were not needed, some postholing, but not usually deep. Gaiters and waterproof boots needed. - Keith Jensen

Herman Lake

View looking west from Pettingell Peak towards the Gore Range.

Close-up view looking west at Gore Range and beyond. Center ridge is Gore Range, Bufalo Peak on left to Red Peak on the right. Far ridge is Mt. Holy Cross on left and Mt. Jackson Center.

Pitkin Lake

Saturday, June 14
Vail Area

Still plenty of snow up near timberline and above. This CMC trip went up from East Vail on the north side of the valley. If you are going high, you need good waterproof boots. - Keith Jensen

Mt. Bierstadt

Sunday, June 1, 2003

Two weeks ago I summitted Mt. Bierstadt after snowshoeing over deep drifts of snow. The willows were almost totally covered, and a 10-foot wall of snow blocked the road to Guanella Pass about a mile from the pass itself. On Sunday 6.1.03 I led a CMC trip to Mt. Bierstadt, but this time the road to the pass was totally clear, and the willows were completely free of snow. It's amazing what a few days of warm weather can do to the snow -- and it's understandable why all the snowmelt is now threatening to inundate parts of Georgetown. - Rolf Asphaug

RMNP Road Closure - Bear Lake Road

According to this article: http://www.eptrail.com/pages/wed02.html, Bear Lake Road in RMNP will be under construction for nearly a year and a half beginning approximately June 1 of this year through Oct. 31, 2004.

I contacted the NPS and they said that parts of the road would be accessible by "shuttle only" from June to October of this year. Shuttle times are from 5 AM to 10 PM. NO private vehicle and no unauthorized Park vehicle will be permitted beyond the Park and Ride for any reason at any time. - Steve Hoffmeyer

From the Rockies list server.

Georgetown Rest Stop

The "visitor's center" and restroom facility in Georgetown (the old gas station on the right that's painted green) is closed for reconstruction into a better visitor's center and restroom facility to open in September. - Kevin Craig

CMC's Colorado Mountain Weather Page