Tuning fork ski logistics

[SchralpTheGnar]

Looking to ski this on Saturday. Is there still enough snow in it to ski? Would you hike the standard trail and then try to get back to the trailhead from grizzly? Boot pack up it from grizzly? Seems like lots of options, Looking for the simplest option, have 4x4. Thanks

[AlexeyD]

Would you hike the standard trail and then try to get back to the trailhead from grizzly? Boot pack up it from grizzly?

I'd suggest the second. But that's mostly because of personal preferences: 1) climbing up what I ski down, 2) not walking on roads, if possible, 3) not hiking a trail with a bajillion other people.

As for recent conditions, the last time I saw it was over a week ago (Sat the 3rd) and it looked really fat. Can't say what it's like now, but in 2015 we skied it on something like June 27 and there was still about 2.5k of continuous snow, so if I had to guess it should still be pretty good. Enjoy!

[druid2112]

I'm sure others who were closer to the action will pipe in, but from ridge between Cupid and Grizz yesterday I saw a group of 10-12 going down and appearing to have a blast. Looked pretty fat, if a bit thin at the drop in.

[bergsteigen]

Tuning Fork is in fat. Left branch should go to the ridge, or close enough. Yesterday was Carl and Benner's GAGB season ending ski party. 4x4 to the base, climb and ski is the norm.

[lordhelmut]

There is a very defined booter all the way up TF. I'd say this upcoming weekend is the last one where it would be worth it to go for this line, but that's just my take. I got 3 solid core shots yesterday skiing full speed over rocks lurking beneath the shallow snowpack. The top was only melted out for 20 feet from the ridge, but I wouldn't be surprised if that rapidly decreases this week. With that being said, it was a solid overall ski with plenty of corn.


Also - That road back in Grizzly Gulch seems to get a little rougher every year.

[Obese_goat]

Yall are making me want to go right now. 530 start would be too late for my fat ass. I need at least 330 on trail. Still haven't gotten it and I want it sofaking bad. Tried to get it from cdot corner on June 3rd and failed. Hopefully try to give it another go before the weekend gets here. Maybe i can tag along with you hero? I do not have crampons only microspikes so I've been a puss about climbing directly up it. Sounds like we should probably drive to it and use that boot pack asap though oi!

[TaylorHolt]

Here is a pic from Sniktau on Saturday (6/10).

Torreys.jpg (718.93 KiB) Viewed 3101 times

[SchralpTheGnar]

Cool, looks like there's snow on the slopes, thanks to all for the help and advice.

[k-berger]

As far as the 4x4 road is concerned, it sounds like a mud pit and some creek crossings are the cruxes. Is this road something a stock 4Runner could handle?

[Summitskier11]

There is a very defined booter all the way up TF. I'd say this upcoming weekend is the last one where it would be worth it to go for this line, but that's just my take. I got 3 solid core shots yesterday skiing full speed over rocks lurking beneath the shallow snowpack. The top was only melted out for 20 feet from the ridge, but I wouldn't be surprised if that rapidly decreases this week. With that being said, it was a solid overall ski with plenty of corn.


Also - That road back in Grizzly Gulch seems to get a little rougher every year.

Full boot pack to summit? As in no skins attached?

[SchralpTheGnar]

As far as the 4x4 road is concerned, it sounds like a mud pit and some creek crossings are the cruxes. Is this road something a stock 4Runner could handle?

No problems at all so long as you don't mind potentially losing your vehicle, if you do, just park and walk it, at 2 miles, 1000 feet of elevation gain you should be able to hike that in 15 minutes

[Obese_goat]

Low of 45 tonight. Yeesh. What do you think schralp? You going for it!?