Southern Cascades Conditions 2013-2014

[Matt J]

Less than stellar conditions obviously. Mt. Ashland isn't open and won't be in the foreseeable future.

Any recommendations for groomed terrain near Mt. Bachelor. We'll be skiing at the nordic center some this week, but I was thinking a quick ski tomorrow when we get to town would be nice without paying for day access. I'd prefer something groomed with tracks set, but if that's not possible is there anything with a base?

Any beta about the Bend area sno parks appreciated i.e. Skyliner, Edison, Meissner, thanks.

[purplesage]

The Nordic center has the only groomed snow in the area. They stopped grooming at Meissner over a week ago, more dirt than snow. None of the other snow parks are skiable except Dutchman which of course is jam packed with users.

[Matt J]

The Nordic center has the only groomed snow in the area. They stopped grooming at Meissner over a week ago, more dirt than snow. None of the other snow parks are skiable except Dutchman which of course is jam packed with users.

Great, thanks. Good to know. I'm leaning towards doing a hike

Almost think a mountain bike seems like the best idea.

[telorti]

I've read that the Maston area trails, between Redmond and Tumalo are in good shape for riding now. I was also out near Gray Butte on saturday and it looked like some of that trail system might be dry and rideable without tearing up the trail. Hiking is definitely a go in the Grasslands/Smith Rock area.

[Matt J]

I've read that the Maston area trails, between Redmond and Tumalo are in good shape for riding now. I was also out near Gray Butte on saturday and it looked like some of that trail system might be dry and rideable without tearing up the trail. Hiking is definitely a go in the Grasslands/Smith Rock area.

Is there some ethic about riding wet trails around Bend? Down here people ride them muddy which is odd for me coming from Colorado. I've been staying off the dirt and road riding. You're a pariah on the Front Range if you even think about riding when it's muddy. Lucky that's only about 2 days a year

Thanks for the tip on the Grasslands/Smith Rock hiking. Maybe we'll give that a go. Staying in Sunriver so might not venture that far north. We'll see...

[Rock_Doc]

Hey Matt,

We were up at Bach last week (skiied for three days on 23-25), and the snow situation is less than stellar. Apparently, there was a large ice storm the weekend of Dec 21-22 that coated everything with a massive sheet of solid ice. The runs that had been groomed were ok, especially on the margins where the scrapings had accumulated. Anything off groomed was significantly crusty, but hard and thick enough that one could hold an edge and not worry about poking through. Drove through Meissner and one of the sledding hill snow parks to check coverage, and snow was pretty thin. All in all, I would still ski a day or two at bachelor, because its still skiing!

If staying in Sunriver, you might consider taking a drive down to Newberry Caldera, which is south on Hwy 97 from Sunriver; the turn off is north of Lapine a few miles. Drive east on Newberry road up to Ten Mile Snow park, where I assume the road is gated. Depending on snow coverage, you could either hike, ski, or snowshoe up to Paulina Creek falls and then continue up to the caldera (for map, see USGS Paulina Peak Quad). Elevations in this area are between about 5500 and 6300, so may be enough snow holding up there, but undoubtedly icy.

Have fun!

Cheers,
JT

[twest820]

Is there some ethic about riding wet trails around Bend?

Yes, there is. Hit up the Bend conditions thread at MTBR for the latest.

[telorti]

Should have included this sooner. www.cotamtb.com Can't seem to get the link thing to work. My mtb trail ethic is if I worked on the trail and I see you tearing it up when it's wet I hope you have more than your bike tire pump when you return to your vehicle. Just kidding...sort of.

[Matt J]

Thanks for the input fellas. We had an awesome trip and really enjoyed the sunny weather. Conditions were better than expected. My hat's off to the cat crews at Bachelor, both the front side and nordic trails were obviously groomed with a lot of care. The ice was something to behold.

My brother really wants to check out the caldera at Paulina Peak so maybe we scout that area next time. We hiked below snow line near the Deschutes and around Sunriver with the dogs in lieu of skiing after seeing the conditions.

Perhaps we can keep this thread going if we ever get any relief from this drought.

[Rock_Doc]

Well, I'm beginning to get optimistic that the current storm systems are going to get Hoodoo and/or Willamette Pass close to opening. After ~7 inches of new snow since Mon-Tues, the forecast for Hoodoo and the central Oregon Cascades certainly looks promising (aside from the Friday warm up):

• Today Snow. High near 33. West southwest wind 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
• Tonight Occasional snow. Low around 29. Windy, with a west southwest wind 28 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• Friday Snow likely before 10am, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a west southwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Friday Night Rain, mainly after 10pm. Low around 36. Breezy, with a southwest wind 23 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday Rain before 10am, then snow showers. High near 36. Windy, with a southwest wind 31 to 34 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.
• Saturday Night Snow showers. Low around 26. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.
• Sunday Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

We shall see what comes to pass. Cheers!!

[Matt J]

Might as well throw a link to the Snotel data for good measure

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Oregon/oregon.html

[BendBC]

We skied from Bachelor to Todd Lake today. 6-7" of new snow and got a couple short runs in up at Todd ridge before I had to get to my dentist appointment. I forgot skins and as many of you already know, nowax bases suck climbing in new soft deep snow. Good turning though in medium density snow. Hope the rain stays away tomorrow.. Thank God winter's decided to revisit us.

[Gary at Tahoe]

BendBC or others....any new updates on the BC around Bend? Tumalo MT or Todd lake since last weekends storm.

Thanks

[telorti]

I thought I'd to ski into Todd Lake 2 days ago, Monday. Started at the Nordic Center and got about 1 mile in before calling it quits. 1/2 inch of breakable crust over what seemed to be 8 inches of powder. There was a dusting of new snow on the crust. After burying my tips a second time I thought I'd better stop before I tweaked a knee. I wouldn't think conditions have improved since then. I did stop at the Swampy sno-park on the way home. Less snow but I just stomped around a little and didn't try to ski. Snow was melting out of the trees by that time so if there wasn't crust on top then there probably is now...unfortunately. Could be 57 degrees for a high here today and FL up to 10,000ft. in the mtns.

[Rock_Doc]

1/2 inch of breakable crust over what seemed to be 8 inches of powder. There was a dusting of new snow on the crust. I wouldn't think conditions have improved since then.

There's a pic of the "crust" from bachelor on the tgr hood/bach conditions thread. Looks like a ~1-2 inch slab of ice.

In other Cascade news, Willamette Pass will be open Fri-Mon with backside running full ops. I might head up Friday and/or Monday - not sure quite yet.

Cheers,
JT