NORTHWEST:
--Wow, two beautiful Northwest weekends in a row. Maybe summer is around the corner. Program Coordinator Andrew Yasso sent it in Smoke Bluffs, near Squamish, BC on Sunday. The crowds weren't bad and the routes were dry. I don't think it will hold for this weekend, though....
Photo Credit Andrew Yasso.
-- Attn Me. Erie climbers: It seems that the Peregrine’s first attempt to nest on Mt. Erie has failed this spring. We are not sure why, but according Dave’s observations on Mt. Erie the first batch of eggs may have succumbed to predation. We are very optimistic that the falcons will try again and be successful. After consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, we are keeping the closure on the Skyline Arête. This could change as the falcons are very active near the Madrone Wall. So if you see the falcons exhibiting aggressive or territorial behavior while near the Madrone Wall, the Orange Wall or the Cirque, please leave the area and contact us with your observations.
--Check out this post on crag closures due to nesting birds, for many Washington climbing locations. Do you have anything to report?
--Check out this post on crag closures due to nesting birds, for many Washington climbing locations. Do you have anything to report?
-- An update from the WDOT regarding Washington Pass: "We’ve nearly finished cutting through the Cutthroat Ridge avalanche chutes. We’re through CR 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The two full-size snowblowers have a little work remaining at CR 10 before they’re through, and we have about an hour’s worth of pushing with the D8 cats at CR 11 and CR 12. Once the cats have finished pushing and cut the slides down to manageable sizes, the excavator and snowblowers can punch through pretty quickly. Then it’s on to what we call the Annex – the area where avalanches from Liberty Bell reach the highway a second time. Hills believes we should reach the Annex quickly next week."
--Wondering about Snow Creek Wall conditions? Looks like the decent trail is snow-free, but watch out for ticks.
--Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.--Wondering about Snow Creek Wall conditions? Looks like the decent trail is snow-free, but watch out for ticks.
--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.
--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:
--Conditions in the range will be available as our dispatches come in. Please go to our Dispatch Blog for the most updated information.
RED ROCK CANYON:
-- Red Rock is under threat again by proposed housing developments. The hill in question is the vast sloping flank that faces the entire escarpment. Help save Red Rock!
--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.
ALPS:
--Chamonix and Mont Blanc Regional Forecasts may be found here.
--Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.
