CO weather updates for backcountry riders

[couloirman]

With the closing of the ski resorts come a less accurate, less frequent weather/snow report for all mountain areas. As people flock to warmer places and put away their gear for the season, a different breed of skier needs as up to date weather info as anybody. Being frustrated with a few of my attempts the last few weeks because of above freezing temps, it led me to desire some more reports of where the weather would be more decent for skiing.
So heres the point, we should all post on this thread if you know anything abour ski friendly weather(below freezing nighttime temps). Theres few enough of us here that a few more dedicated backcountry riders wont make much of a difference to someones fun spots. Besides, if you already know where its freezing at night, youve already been there and done that. If you are somehwere in the mountains and know of some good weather, post here and let others know where its freezing at what elevations overnight. Ill start.

-Guanella pass yesterday evening dropped to 28 deg f at 3 am at 11,000 ft and trails up the mount bierstadt were consolidated and easy to walk on in tennis shoes even until early afternoon.
-Fourth of July trailhead today was not freezing at 37 deg f when i arrived at 430 am at the end of the winter closure.
-RMNP may 16th 37 deg f at bear lake parking lot, and trails up to Hallets/ Dragontails were unconsolidated and we were postholing an hour before sunrise at treeline and went home very early.


Am heading to quandary peak late tonight, and will post more tommorow. Lets all bring our observations together and help each other out to get some more awesome spring descents. Good luck, and pray for cold weather up high.

[Hacksaw]

I posted it over on the Torrey's thread. But, I'll repost it here.

A number of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center's (CAIC) remote weather stations are still up and reporting in. Go to the CAIC website http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche Look under the weather forecasts= under Current conditions. These weather stations will at least give you an idea of the overnite temps and winds in their area and elevation.

Cheers,
Halsted Morris

[El Kabong]

snotel is pretty good too, lots of sites around the west

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/

the site seems to be down right now but when it works it works pretty good

[Pow4Brains]

I was up on Parry today via Fall River road and skied the southeast face between Parry and Bancroft. The temp at the trailhead at 7:00am was 43. You can drive about 1/2 mile from Fall River Res and can start skinning at the INLET to the Res. At 11:00am the corn was about 4" deep. There was no recent avalanche activity. Ain’t gonna’ be around much longer…….

[Hacksaw]

Check out:

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53922

[MOHSHSIHd]

Climbed and skied Skywalker this am....was frozen solid till roughly 10am, but got hot quick as usual....weak freeze at camp about 300ft below the apron of the coolie....hard freeze in the middle to upper sections

[couloirman]

Climbed and skied Skywalker this am....was frozen solid till roughly 10am, but got hot quick as usual....weak freeze at camp about 300ft below the apron of the coolie....hard freeze in the middle to upper sections

any pics of how much snow is still in there?

[MOHSHSIHd]

any pics of how much snow is still in there?

I think my roomate is putting together a little TR now, if not ill post up the pics...

[Rontele]

Just got back from Francie's Cabin with Danno, TeleHoar, and MakersTeleMark

The dust layer is really ruining the snow where exposed. Corn was had, but one had to get up VERY HIGH and VERY EARLY.

[bubba-k]

I was up on Mt. Evans yesterday, for a look at the shoveling I have to do. At about 11:00 am the corn was nice and soft. The northeast bowl has a pretty big wetslide but after some settling should be nice. The road opens next friday.