Forum Index > Trip Reports > Olney Pass road and snow depth update 3/20/17
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Nancyann
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Joined: 28 Jul 2013
Posts: 2313 | TRs | Pics
Location: Sultan Basin
Nancyann
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PostTue Mar 21, 2017 1:10 pm 
Taking advantage of a non-target shooting day, we drove up to Olney Pass to check on conditions. The road was in the usual bad shape for this time of year, but passable in a CRV. We encountered a road closed sign right before the parking area at the pass, so we watched a helicopter land and then walked over to see what was going on. My hiking partner recognized one of his friends, so we had a nice chat while the crew took a break. PUD was conducting a snow depth assessment of the surrounding backcountry and removing a few portapotties. They had just returned from Stickney Ridge, where they measured 9 feet of snow.
Snowpack data collection day, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Snowpack data collection day, Olney Pass 3/20/17
We couldn't help but notice the trash left by the target shooters right in the parking lot at the pass.
Target shooter garbage, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Target shooter garbage, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Target shooter garbage, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Target shooter garbage, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Target shooter garbage, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Target shooter garbage, Olney Pass 3/20/17
Currently, the South Shore road gate is closed and unplowed, but the road to Culmback Dam has been plowed and is open. After visiting with the crew for a while, we headed back to the Blue Mountain East Summit "trailhead" just down the street, and walked up in our boots about two miles until the postholing became too annoying. We estimated the snow to still be at least four feet deep at this point. Snowshoes were definitely necessary to proceed to the summit.
Snow depth, Road to Blue Mountain East Summit 3/20/17
Snow depth, Road to Blue Mountain East Summit 3/20/17
On the way back down, we watched the gray clouds forming behind Vesper, signaling an end to the nice little weather window for another week.
Storm clouds forming over Big Four, Vesper, Sperry 3/20/17
Storm clouds forming over Big Four, Vesper, Sperry 3/20/17

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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Olney Pass road and snow depth update 3/20/17
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