NORTHWEST:
-- A quick note from the WDOT, from last Wednesday: Wednesday weather was cooperative - overcast, a little chilly, but no new snow. The work got started at Early Winters where the snow depth was about 4 -1/2 feet and got progressively deeper over the seven miles to the Silver Star Gate.
-- The following pictures were taken over the last weekend. The mudslide on Icicle Creek Road will not be cleared out until June. The road is close right after 8 mile campground. Photos from Jason Martin.
--Attn Mt Erie Climbers: It seems that the Peregrine Falcons on Mt. Erie might want a change of scenery. Early indications are that the birds have mated and may be moving back near their 2009 nest site which was located in the vicinity of the Madrone Wall, Orange Wall and the Cirque. When you are in that area we would greatly appreciate any information you could provide about falcon behavior, especially if you see them spending a lot of time on a certain ledge or perch or exhibiting territorial behavior when humans are nearby.
- John Lunsford, Anacortes Parks and Recreation
--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.--Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.
--Webcam for Leavenworth and the Stuart Range.
--Forecast for Mount Rainier.
-- Route and Conditions Report from Mt. Baker Rangers: Mount Baker Climbing Blog.
--Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
--Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.
--Webcams for Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Leavenworth.
--An up-to-date ski and snow report for the Northwest may be found here.
--Up-to-date Pacific Northwest ice conditions may be found here.
RED ROCK CANYON:
-- Our Red Rock season ends around mid-May. It just gets too hot there for most people. If you find yourself there after that, check out this thread for beta on routes in the shade, etc.
--Forecast and average temperatures for Red Rock Canyon.
--Webcam for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
--The late exit and overnight permit number for Red Rock Canyon is 702-515-5050. If there is any chance that you will be inside the park after closing, be sure to call this number so that you don't get a ticket.
--The entrance to the scenic drive had a parking area for those who wanted to carpool up until approximately April of 2009. That lot has now become employee parking and people who want to carpool are required to park at the lot outside the Scenic Drive exit.
--The scenic drive currently opens its gates at 6 in the morning.
JOSHUA TREE:
--Forecast and average temperatures for Joshua Tree National Park.
--Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.
-- As winter use in Joshua Tree is growing, camping can be difficult at times. It is not a bad idea to come with a back-up plan if the park campgrounds are full. Here are the NPS Campground Details. Some people like to stay at the rural campground often referred to as "The Pit." And lastly, there is a campground available at Joshua Tree Lake.
--The Joshua Tree entrance fee is currently $15 per vehicle. Your receipt will give you access to the park for seven days after its initial purchase. Rangers check this receipt at each of the major access points going in and out. Annual passes are available for $30.
--Webcams for Bishop, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass.
--Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are now required seven days per week when the cables are up. This is an interim measure to increase safety along the cables while the park develops a long-term plan to manage use on the Half Dome Trail. A maximum of 400 permits will be issued each of these days (300 of these permits are available to day hikers). To read more, click here.
ALASKA RANGE:
--Updated from Denali NP:
Denali Park Road to Open to Mile 30 on Saturday, April 16
Favorable spring weather has helped the efforts of the National Park
Service to open the park road further west for access by park visitors. The
portion of the Denali Park Road between the Savage River (Mile 15) and the
Teklanika River Rest Area at Mile 30 will open for travel by private
vehicles at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, weather permitting. Weather
can change rapidly, and visitors are encouraged to call for updated road
status before traveling to the park.
Snow conditions have deteriorated, but there is still good snow for skiing
in shaded areas and on north-facing slopes. Visitors have reported
sightings of lynx, caribou, and moose along the first 15 miles of the park
road. There have been no bear sightings yet this season.
Motorists should expect to encounter snow, ice, and mud on some portions of
the road, particularly shaded areas.
--This trip report was from a couple of weeks ago, but is worth posting. Check out the second ascent of Mt Huntington via the West Face Couloir.
--Conditions in the range are not currently available. But we are taking reservations for both Alaska Range Ascents and Denali trips. To learn more, click here. We will begin regular conditions reports in the Alaska Range in late April.
ALPS:
--Check out this recent Chamonix trip report. Sunny skies and ambiance.
--Chamonix and Mont Blanc Regional Forecasts may be found here.
--Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.
