Mindalynn wrote:I've been looking at the NPS website at the trail status and scheduled trail clearings, but I don't understand exactly what is meant by the info they have there. For instance, here is one trail's info:
Dawson Pass to Pitamakin Pass/ 3.3 mi.
Initial clearing scheduled for: Complete 7/23/10 per 650
Snow cover: 0%
Tree Down: 0
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So, does this mean that before 7/23 the trail will probably be closed? But why, if there is no snow cover? (I'm thinking the 0% is probably not updated?)
I know I won't be able to predict exactly which trails will be open when I visit and which won't, but I'd like to at least get a feel for which ones are most likely going to be off limits so I can plan accordingly. (No ice axes for me!)
Mindalynn,
I'm thinking that the Trail Status pages are not yet completely up and operating for this year. The word
Complete is a leftover from last season. I'll explain the Dawson Pass to Pitamakin Pass report you posted as I see it right now:
1. Ranger 650 (I do not know who that individual is) has scheduled Initial clearing for 7/23/10. After that initial clearing is done the status will be changed to something like
Initial clearing scheduled for: Complete 7/23/10 per 650
This means initial clearing was completed on 7/23/10.
2. The report says there is 0% snow cover. To update this to the correct figure requires a patrol out on the trail. As of now (04/26/10) no one will have made that patrol. You can be sure there is plenty of snow on that section of trail. And 1-3 feet more are in the forecast for the next few days.
3. The report says there are no trees down and blocking the trail. Again to update this to the correct figure requires a patrol out on the trail. Since the trail is under snow and any downed trees present would not be seen there is no report yet. In actuality that section of trail is above timberline and would never have any trees down on it.
The report will also contain other information gleaned by the patrolling individual. Lingering snowbanks, need for ice axe, route finding ability, rock slides and trail closures are all possible entries.
The Initial clearing date is the date that a trail crew is scheduled to go through that section of trail removing any downed trees. The date is set at a time when all or at least almost all of the snow can be expected to have melted off the trail. The date is also dependent on other trail work the crew is required to do such as installing suspension and other bridges, repairing damaged trail sections and other general trail work. Seems like July 23, 2010 is a reasonable date to set.
Prior to that initial clearing date the trail is not closed. The date is just the date that the trail crew is scheduled to remove debris. Most trails are open and passable before the initial clearing date, others may have snow, water or other hazards.
For the latest trail information go to the ranger station nearest that trail. For the Dawson Pass to Pitamakin Pass trail that would be the Two Medicine Ranger Station. They will have the latest info on snow and other hazards. Especially those hazards that change quickly like snow.
The Dawson Pass to Pitamakin Pass section of trail might be only have 1-3% snow cover in July. That snow might be in steep snowbanks though. Typically there are 2-3 places where snow lingers on this trail and they are on the sides of Mount Morgan near and west of Cut Bank Pass. Sometimes it is possible to hike around the snow going above or below it. Other times it is not so check at the Ranger Station for the latest info.
Now for trails in remote valleys, especially those on the west side like Coal Creek, Ole Creek, Park Creek and others you can expect that there will be a fair number of downed trees covering the trail. And some of the less used trails are not initially cleared until late in the summer. Hiking those trails prior to initial clearing could be a challenge. A downed tree could be a single tree trunk 6 inches in diameter lying across the trail or it could be a huge tree lying along and completely blocking the trail. Enough of the latter and you have to put in a lot of additional effort to hike that trail. Even so those trails are not "closed" prior to initial clearing.
Trails are closed for various reasons mainly having to do with bears and visitor safety. Closures will be clearly stated in the Trail Status reports and signs will be posted at trailheads to indicate exactly where the closure is.
Hope this wasn't too confusing.
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