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 Night owl posting,Subie driving, backpacking Dad who is perpetually trying to catch up to his kids on the trail.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
3055 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2012 : 11:12 PM
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This past Saturday I decided to check out conditions in the Brandywine Meadows and, time permitting, work in a quick hike up Metaldome. I got a late start but remained hopeful that I could drive most of the way to the 4WD trail head for quick access. ...foolish hope given the snow pack that had provided such great skiing well into the Spring.
I pushed through the 1st few snow patches on the road but had to give up on driving a little beyond 1000M elevation. From there it was almost all snow for an hour's hike to reach the trail head. Mind you, a snow covered logging road provides a far less tedious hike than a dusty dry one.
  
In the meadows and beyond there was at least 2M of snow ... much more as I achieved the ridge leading to Metaldome.
    
On the ridge without much shade, the snow pack was getting sloppy and less supportive. Progress slowed to the point that I decided that the reward to effort ratio no longer supported forward motion a little over an hour past the trail head. The Sun exposure also had me feeling a little baked in spite of my application of Sun screen so I turned around and headed back down to the "meadows" to check out the state of the creek.
  
And then back down to the trail head and out the road to my vehicle.
  
Access up the road should improve quickly with a little sustained warm weather but it looks like it will be quite some time before anyone is heading to the meadows for blooming flowers. |
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bandana wearin', pole huckin', view lovin', dog herdin', 4x4 navigatin', lake huntin', butt-slidin' bridge crosser, who enjoys postholing with an overnighter pack
Surrey, BC
Canada
4649 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2012 : 07:03 AM
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Thanks for the report! We were thinking of heading there next week-end. Hopefully the snow will have receded a good bunch by then  |
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 | Mr. B
Intermediate Member
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Popkum, B.C.
Canada
629 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2012 : 07:08 AM
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Progress slowed to the point that I decided that the reward to effort ratio no longer supported forward motion a little over an hour past the trail head
I hate when this happens!
Nice pictures though. |
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Sunshine Coast, BC
Canada
251 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2012 : 08:00 AM
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Thanks for the report. We spent about four days last week up at brandywine, Rainbow Lake and the4 back of Lillooet river. Also up the Hurley road near Semaphore lakes. 3000 ft is the magic number for deep snow everywhere.
At the height of the pass (over 4000 ft) on the Hurley road, which has now been cleared (at least to Hurley South FSR) the snow at roadside was as high as 6 to 7 feet. Some of our fave passes will likely be snowed in until the very late in summer |
Edited by - xj6response on 06/13/2012 08:01 AM |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
330 Posts |
Posted - 06/13/2012 : 09:09 AM
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| Update much appreciated! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
62 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2012 : 10:49 PM
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We were up on Metal Dome today. You can drive much closer to the snowmobile cabin, but not all the way. Snow blocks the road -- and will continue to do so for a little while yet -- about a 1/2 mile from the cabin, maybe.
But what excellent corn skiing today. And with the high clouds coming in it didn't go to mush except lower down.
The summit was gorgeous; occupied by only two ptarmigan half-way to their summer colours.
There will be skiing up there for a while to come! |
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Brandywine Meadows & Metaldome snow report
