Conditions this last Saturday

Update:  There is a new weather system coming through this Wednesday that is expected to dump more snow in the mountains.  Please carefully review weather reports before heading in.  Rick

From Saturday, graciously shared by Joe and his group of 5 allowed visitors . . .



We had a great hike to the springs today. It
was snowing heavily on the way up Hwy 2. We had a 4 WD so no problem. Did
not

Scenic, Snow, and the Safety of Your Visit

UPDATE:  Highway 2 and Stevens Pass will be closed Tuesday night through Wednesday at MP 58 through MP 65.5 for avalanche control.
  

With the unfortunate deaths of three skiers on Cowboy Mountain (Stevens Pass) and a snowboarder at Alpental this past Sunday, I feel the need to caution while also reassuring permitted visitors to Scenic Hot Springs.  "Avalanche" is an emotional word and I hate

Thursday onsite updates

Thursday, this is what snow at the springs looked like.

Snowshoes are not required

Snowshoes are not required. But by afternoon

when the snow thaws a bit, expect a few steps 

to posthole here and there.

Snow at the gate

Thursday, this is how much snow was at the gate

Conditions

As of Thursday afternoon there was little evidence of snowmelt affecting the springs to any significant degree.



Lobster Pot sources were a degree or two off with just a little bit more flow.  Bear Den remains unchanged.



The snow in the area is best characterized as wet and slushy . . . packed where deep.  Snowshoes and/or crampons were not necessary.



There have been significantly higher

Recent Images from Scenic

A couple of soakers with permission to visit Scenic Hot Springs, have graciously provided photos of their visit with permission to post to the Scenic Blog.  Here are three from this past weekend:



On the bench above the pools.
Copyright 2012 Gloria Cropper, used with permission





Reflections on Bear Den Pool
Copyright 2012 Gloria Cropper, used with permission






Snowbound Slopes . . . Hot

Rising Snow Levels

Freezing levels in the Cascades are predicted to go up to 7-8,000 feet this coming weekend.  If these levels are sustained for a time, we can expect increasing snow-melt into the groundwater near the spring sources, thereby diluting and bringing the temperatures of the hottest feed (Lobster) way down.  We would appreciate it if those who have permission to visit Scenic in the near term would