[pct-l] SOBO

[Barry Teschlog]

SOBO's may be crying in their beer just a bit this year.
First off, snow up in the very north Cascades is above average, although not terribly so, as of this writing.  The Harts Pass Snotel sensor is currently at 124% of nominal for the date.  Rainy Pass is 111%, Lyman Lake (proxy for Glacier Peak) is 92%, Stevens Pass is 105%.
Further south, just south of Snoqualmie Pass, Olallie Meadows is at 85% while Stampede Pass is at only 69%.
White Pass on Highway 12 is at 74%.
As one moves down into Oregon, sensors indicate substantially below average snow packs.
The other factor that might cause headaches is the ongoing fire closures, specifically the Norse Peak and Columbia River Gorge closures.
SOBO's can expect that there will have been little time to clear / repair the Norse Peak fire area between the snow melting and your arrival.  Add to that the area may still be closed.  Be prepared to find a ride around the current closure area if necessary - depart the trail at either Snoqualmie Pass or at Government Meadows and make your way to either Chinook or White Pass.
The Gorge area is more problematic.  
Data from the USFS can be found at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/crgnsa/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD569597andhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/crgnsa/fire/?cid=fseprd569574