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Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 7:26 am
by Dave B
Anyone been up to Brainard Lake area recently that might have a picture of the Navajo/Apache area? I'm particularly interested in the east ledges on Apache and/or Navajo snowfield area and Navajo north face. Has there been much snow up there? Even a picture from the FRange would be good, I don't get a good vantage from Fort Collins.

Also, I'm assuming the gate is closed but am hoping the road is pretty clear, any updates on this would be awesome as well.

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:37 am
by ak47
I haven't been up to Brainard in a few weeks but live just below Ward, 2 nights ago we had some rain/ice/snow mix that I assume dropped a trace amount of snow up high, but made for surprisingly slick road and trail conditions yesterday. The gate is closed and road most definitely clear to the lake. The trail approach was icy in the trees a few weeks ago and would assume is about the same. I guess I would be concerned about icy conditions in airplane gully(north facing) if heading for navajo. Navajo snowfield has barely any snow I would not recommend trying to climb or descend it. Apache east ledges may be holding a little snow and ice and is a pretty steep hike down. I would bring microspikes, and a mtn bike will shave 2 hours off your trip. Good luck AK

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:55 am
by JEyez
I was there a week ago today. Parked at the winter closure and biked to Long Lake TH with no real problem. Hiked up to Navajo via Airplane Gully. I used microspikes on the approach, the gully, and the descent. No ice troubles. I had the entire wilderness to myself. No doubt a perfect day.

Image

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:39 am
by Dave B
JEyez wrote:I was there a week ago today. Parked at the winter closure and biked to Long Lake TH with no real problem. Hiked up to Navajo via Airplane Gully. I used microspikes on the approach, the gully, and the descent. No ice troubles. I had the entire wilderness to myself. No doubt a perfect day.

Image
Thanks! You wouldn't happen to have a more close up shot of the Navajo snow field would you? Was thinking about climbing that directly as an ice climb, but ak's comment above makes me wonder what's even left after this last winter/summer combo.

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:17 pm
by ak47
Looks like I'm climbing audobon and paiute tomorrow from coney flats, will post the best pics I can, probably by 6 or 7 pm tomorrow, hope this might help. Alex

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:30 pm
by Dave B
ak47 wrote:Looks like I'm climbing audobon and paiute tomorrow from coney flats, will post the best pics I can, probably by 6 or 7 pm tomorrow, hope this might help. Alex
That would be great, wouldn't mind an update on the route you're doing as well if possible.

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:36 pm
by MonGoose
I also appreciate the info, I spend a lot of time in this area during the winter.

Re: Brainard Lake area conditions

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:43 am
by JEyez
Dave B wrote:Thanks! You wouldn't happen to have a more close up shot of the Navajo snow field would you? Was thinking about climbing that directly as an ice climb, but ak's comment above makes me wonder what's even left after this last winter/summer combo.
I didn't take many pictures on this hike. I got a fairly late start, so I was on a mission to summit and be back to Lake Isabelle before sunset. What you see is that picture. Here is the link to view the original image on my website. Hope this helps...

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