[pct-l] N. Oregon Snow

[Wayne Kraft]

Go to the map at this link:

http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/maps/oregon_sitemap.html

Click on the snotel sites along the spine of the Cascades, then click on the 
links for the current snow depth tables and the graphs to see how deep the 
snow is now and how it relates to the 30 year average. I suggest 
specifically from south to north:

Cascade Summit (Highway 58 near Odell Lake)
Irish Taylor
McKenzie Pass
Hogg Pass (near Santiam Pass)
(note big gap through Jefferson Wilderness)
Clackamas Lake
Clear Lake
Mt. Hood
Blazed Alder

On the graphs, note where the 30 year average SWE (snow water equivalent --  
light blue line) reaches zero.  That would give you some idea when to expect 
bare ground at the snotel site.  PLEASE NOTE: The snotel sites are not 
positioned at the highest elevations near the trail or necessarily where the 
snow will be the deepest.

The snow is abnormally deep, the melt is abnormally late (although it has 
now obviously begun) and the farther north you go the more abnormal it 
becomes.  In a normal year, I would expect troublesome snow in the Three 
Sisters Wilderness at the end of June.  This year it should be loads-o-fun.

Snow shoes maybe?