Looking to get a good ski descent or two in on Fri/Sat this weekend and have been considering the San Juans around Lake City, more specifically Redcloud, Sunshine, and/or Uncompahgre. Has anyone been to this area recently and could give some beta as to what the snow/skiing conditions are like? I know all of these peaks can be skied right now, but the recent dust layers and forecasted warm temps/borderline freezes have me a little concerned about the snow quality in this area (especially after the most recent wind and dust event), as well as the possibility that the snow may be melting too quickly meaning less vertical on the descent. I guess I don't want to drive all the way down there from Denver if the skiing isn't going to be that good. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I did see pics from Uncompahgre on a TR from a couple of days ago and those are very helpful, and the coverage looks decent... just looking for some first-hand beta/info on the snow conditions as well.
Lake City area 14er snow conditions
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clemsonmtneer
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highplaces
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Re: Lake City area 14er snow conditions
I was on Uncompahgre and Handies this past weekend. I'm not a skier, but if you can give me an idea of what you info need, I'll try to help.
Re: Lake City area 14er snow conditions
Coverage is starting to really be mixed on south facing aspects. The dust is horrible, and since we have not had much snow in several weeks, the snow is starting to sun-cup. You can still have some good turns, but it is not the best year to spring ski. I just climbed 13,566 yesterday from Cooper Creek and there is a near continuous ribbon of snow that would make a nice ski descent. You can see my glissade streak nearly all the way down the thing. Hope that helps.
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“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
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clemsonmtneer
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Re: Lake City area 14er snow conditions
Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to pass on the San Juans this weekend, just doesn't sound like the skiing is all that great to warrant a long drive down there, especially since the forecast is calling for above freezing overnight temps. I'll just wait until next spring to hit those peaks on skis, and will head down there at some point later this summer since that area is awesome. Because of the warm-weather, I'm probably going to ski something north-facing closer to home.
