Park Range/Zirkel area conditions

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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sanjuanmtneer
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Park Range/Zirkel area conditions

Post by sanjuanmtneer »

There's a possibility that we'll be doing a Continental Divide Traverse from Long Lake to Mt. Zirkel area in 2 weeks.
Re-creating a hike my Dad did in 1938!
Anyone know how much snow is up there?
Is it as dry as the rest of the state?
NYRyan
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Re: Park Range/Zirkel area conditions

Post by NYRyan »

there is very little snow remaining in the park range for this time of year (surprise, surprise). many north and northeast aspects above treeline are still holding significant snow, but the rest of the range is pretty dry. There are still snowfields and drifts at higher elevations, but snow hasn't posed much of a problem to hiking around Hahn's Peak, Seedhouse road, Mica lake basin, etc areas in the past couple weeks. The picture is from 5.30.12 looking southwest at the Zirkels and the Sawtooths from the summit of Medicine Bow Peak in Wyoming's 'snowy range'. These are n.e. aspects of the park range above treeline and contain much more snow than anything I have encountered hiking into the range from the west side.
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Scott P
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Re: Park Range/Zirkel area conditions

Post by Scott P »

At last report Buffalo Pass (road) still isn't open yet, but you can start from the Rabbit Ears area instead.

PS, if it's on a weekend I would mind joining you for part of the trip (unless your trip is full or you are planning solo).
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
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