6/7/2018
Lake Helene and slightly beyond
Snow-free to the banana bowl. Drifts there, with a clear track across them. Trail below the banana bowl in the woods has some running water and muddy patches, but not much snow. Patches of snow beyond there, but none that is a problem. The path across the large rockslide is about 2/3rds dry, then snow. I put spikes on for the return, the only time I wore them, but trekking poles are what helped me more. Beyond that, some snow, some dry. Route is mostly obvious until just before Lake Helene. Several paths across the snow, but hikers will get to the lake on any of them. Parts of the trail are dry, including the turn down toward Odessa. I hiked down and across the first snow drift, then stopped at the second one, which is small but steeper and narrower. Hikers I talked to who had been on the stretch between Odessa and Helene said there is one more snowfield, but that the path across it is relatively wide and firm. The couple I asked about Odessa said the path into the lake is okay, some snow but okay, and that the beach was dry and sunny.
Volunteer
6/7/2018
Chasm Lake
A couple of drifts as one nears krumholz, but mostly dry to Chasm Junction and beyond. I stopped where I could see the snow slope with the path across it. Lots of people crossing, some not. There also was some snow on the final rock and gully route up to the lake. of drifts as one nears krumholz, but mostly dry to Chasm Junction and beyond. I stopped where I could see the snow slope with the path across it. Lots of people crossing, some not. There also was some snow on the final rock and gully route up to the lake.
Volunteer
6/7/2018
Ouzel Falls
Ouzel Falls and campground loop mostly dry, with some water on the campground trail, but not much.
Volunteer
6/7/2018
Mt Meeker
Departed longstrailhead at 8am. Reached the base of standard ridge route at 10am. Ascent was near completely snow free. Sumitted at 1240. Descent via the loft. Still significant stretches of snow, crampons recommended. Ice axe used to brake glissade descent. Snow wet. Returned to trailhead via Chasm Lake trail by 2pm and parking lot at 6pm.
Visitor
6/7/2018
Sandbeach Lake
The trail is clear until just before reaching the lake. A small snow patch is near the side trail to the latrine. A large snow patch is near the hitching post. All campsites are usable, though the southernmost site still has a healthy snow drift in part of it. The group site is surrounded by small snow patches. Lower campsites all appear fine. The bridge at Hunters Creek is broken in the middle but is still usable. We encountered a lot of pine pollen near the trailhead (in air and on the ground).
Visitor
6/5/2018
Black Lake
Hiked to Black Lake 6/4/2018. Trail was clear of snow all the way to Mills Lake. Beyond that, snowpack on the trail picked up in areas. The last half mile or so was completely snow covered, deep off the beaten trail made by other hikers. I did not have poles or spikes and made it to the top, however I would recommend either or both for the last ascent to Black Lake and for assistance on the way down for the same half mile stretch, as it was very slippery.
Visitor
6/4/2018
The Loch - Sky Pond
Snow gone up to Alberta Falls. A few patches from the falls to the Loch. You do not need traction devices to reach the Loch. There is a short snowfield to ascend going up to the Loch. The lake is completely open, with snow on the south (left) banks and dry ground on the right banks. The trail toward Timberline Falls and Sky Pond still has a fair amount of drifted snow and traction devices are definitely recommended from the Loch to Sky Pond.
Visitor
6/4/2018
Ouzel Lake
Several snow patches on trail to Ouzel Lake. Thunder Lake trail between North St. Vrain campsite and Bluebird Trail - clear.
Visitor
6/3/2018
Bear Lake to Emerald Lake
All lakes have areas of either open water or a thin covering of slush. Trail at Dream goes around the lake. Emerald Lake is very soft in places. Trail to Emerald has a few slippery spots. Can do Nymph, Dream, and Emerald with good boots. Using poles could be helpful.
Volunteer
6/3/2018
East Inlet
Trail is clear of snow until Lone Pine Lake, then just small patches. Some fallen trees towards Lake Verna.
Park Ranger
6/3/2018
Finch Lake
Trail is clear of snow and lake is fully melted. Sites are snow free but there is a snow patch en route to the sites once you arrive at the lake. Tree is down directly over the path to one of the individual sites but it is accessible.
Park Ranger
6/1/2018
Deer Mountain Trail
Normal summer conditions on the trail from Deer Ridge Junction to the summit ( No snow or ice )
Visitor
6/1/2018
Sandbeach Lake Trail and Sites
Trail mostly snow free. There are a couple of patches of snow in the last mile to the lake. A little postholing later in the day but otherwise passable in boots. The bridge before the lake is broken but passable at this time. Lower sites snow free. Sites at the lake have some snow but have enough space melted out for a tent. Lake snow/ice free
Park Ranger
5/29/2018
Lower Tileston Site
Still snow cover at the site (as of 5/27/18), but a snow-free patch was open for tent set-up.
Visitor
5/28/2018
Never Summers
Colorado Trail still flooded, and Thunder Pass has a good amount of snow. Ditch Camp group is almost snow free, Valley View is snow free but the trail up to it is snowy. Dutch Town and Skeleton Gultch is deep in snow.
Park Ranger
5/27/2018
Lost Meadow on North Fork Trail
Small snow patches along the trail. No snow at Lost Meadow.
Visitor
5/26/2018
Flattop and Hallett Peak
The trail from Bear Lake to the junction with the Bierstadt trail is dry. The next 1/4th mile of the Flattop/Helene trail is also dry. Then the snow starts, about 1/4th mile below the Flattop/Helene(Fern) junction, trail mostly snow-covered though obvious before Dream Lake overlook. Beyond the overlook, there are several paths, but they seemed to all end up on the trail eventually. Then the route mostly follows the trail through the trees, but not always. Snow on trail very soft/post-holed. After reaching the krumholz, there are a few spots where there is no definite route and following the trail isn't a good option due to deep, soft drifts on some of the switchbacks in the krumholz. One eventually gets to the Emerald Lake overlook, then can stay on the trail most of the remainder of the journey. On the tundra, there are some sections with snow - more post-holing opportunities. But lots of dry trail. Just above the hitchrack, there's a snowfield to ascend/descend before nearing the top of Flattop, but it was still mostly firm enough for relatively easy walking. Beyond that, and on Flattop, there is no snow. Hallett was also dry. Traction devices and trekking poles were very helpful. Expect to get your shoes wet, either from post-holing or just from the slush with water running under it on the trail.
Volunteer
5/26/2018
Onahu to Kawuneeche Visitor Center
Very small patches of snow on the Onahu Trail, all campsites snow free, including Big Meadow, South Meadow, and Green Mountain. Lots of downed trees on the Tonahutu Trail still.
Park Ranger
5/26/2018
Lost Lake - North Fork Trail
Dunraven Trailhead to Lost Lake via North Fork Trail Hiked 5/26/18 Trail was completely dry and snow free up until the junction of Lost Lake and Stormy Pass trails. From there, patches of snow intermittently covered the trail. Snow patches were 4' high at most. Gaiters probably easier to use than snow shoes since parts of the trail were totally snow free between the tall snow piles. Turned around at Sugarloaf Campsite due to time, so unsure what the rest of the way to the lake looked like. Additionally, there were a LOT of down trees across the trail between the Aspen Meadows Group Site and Lost Falls. Otherwise beautiful with some wildflowers starting!
Visitor
5/24/2018
Deer Mt.
A litle snow is left, but mostly clear all the way to the summit. Do a tick check.
Volunteer
5/24/2018
Cub Lake and Fern Lake
Mostly dry from trailhead to Cub Lake except thru the steep rise immediately where a little snow remains. Clear all around the lake. Past Cub Lake and the Mill Creek spur, it was pretty clear and mostly dry all the way down to the mid-bridge and then onto the Pool area. Remainder of trail was clear and dry from Old Forest Inn BC campsite all the way out to the Fern Lake Trailhead and back to Cub Lake Trailhead.
Visitor
