[Eaglecadd]

OK, time is getting close now for our group to head back out into my favorite place in the Olympics, the Bailey Range. Just wondering if anyone has been out there recently? I am hoping to get snowpack and water availability info. Also I would love to see some recent pics of the area. What shape is the Snowfinger in? Any other comments are welcomed. Dave

[Tomlike]

Based on recent Sentinel imagery, the Snow Finger should probably be referred to now as the Snowless Finger. Aside from the big Snow Hump my guess is that it's pretty dicey/non-existent

[JonnyQuest]

[Eaglecadd]

So sad! I loved the snowfinger. I will always think of it as a complete unit from Dodwell-Rixon to the cairn. Any other data on water availability along the trail, especially along the West slopes of Mt. Carrie to Stephen? Also has anyone gone out from upper Queets Basin to Mt Barnes and then down to the bottom of the snow finger to where the cairn is?

[coldrain108]

[Jake Robinson]

Hi Eaglecadd, I hiked to the summit of Mt. Carrie on July 4 but didn't make it any farther than that. On my route, there was zero water past Heart Lake, with the exception of one or two nasty looking puddles on the ridge. Nothing on the west slopes of Carrie, at least in the route to the summit. Only one snow patch near the summit that was easily avoidable. Here are some pics, hopefully they are at least somewhat useful.

Meadows leading to Carrie

Looking towards Cat Peak from Carrie

Fairchild Glacier from Carrie summit

Heart Lake

[Silas]

We did the traverse last year during the 2nd week of August, so maybe the snow level is similar to this July. The Snow Finger wasn't too bad, just a bunch of gaps and walking in the creek. Lots of water over the whole route. Shouldn't be a problem unless you have a hormone imbalance that makes you drink a lot of water. In hindsight, we probably would have left the ice axes at home and just used our poles to save on the weight.

[JonnyQuest]

[Eaglecadd]

Thanks a lot for the water info. Last time I went into the Baileys, most of our filters got clogged at Boston Charlies. I have also found water at the ridge overlooking Stephen Lake, but also found it dry at other times. I have never gone the Cream Lake route.I am not a fan of mosquitoes so I have preferred to go over to Stephen Lake and then along the East side of Stephen Peak. I know there will be water at Stephen Lake albeit milky. I was really hoping to have a bit of snowmelt in the gullies along Carrie. On another note, is there a reasonable route along Carrie ridge from Catwalk to get to Stephen Lake. I really don't like the gullies.

[RAW-dad]

Having just returned from the SE Olympics (LaCrosse Basin), I'd say we are about a month ahead in terms of melt, water, etc. That said, I camped in 11 Bull Basin in 2017 (see my TR: mega Bailey Range Traverse, 7-15 Aug) on Aug 10 and there was ample water at several spots below Carrie. Many years back (1995) I stayed at 11 Bull in early Sept and had water. I cannot imagine the stream at 11 Bull being dry anytime soon... Good luck! Looking forward to the TR and don't let those gullies bother you!

[gb]

Back in 1994 I did the Bailey in late September and it didn't look like the snow finger would be very safe. So, I walked out the ridge beyond Mt. Barnes and followed game trails towards Chicago Camp. The first 2/3 were very easy, in the final thousand feet the huckleberry brush was about waist high and I had to climb over maybe something like a dozen logs. I doubt that route took over and hour or two.

[Pyrites]

Snowfinger. You can bushwhack down the left side of the hill. End up a little up the trail from Chicago Camp. Cut up the hill from the gulch early. If you go so far down you see the Big Hump your too far. You’d need to go back up the gulch a half hour to find somewhere to climb out. Is it easier to just head away from the Snowfinger gulch earlier from Dodwell Rixon? Best.

[Fatrick]

2 Weeks Ago

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1 Year Ago

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2 Years Ago

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Looking skinny down there compared to the last two years! I did the Snow Finger in 11', 17' and 18' in early September, late July, and early August respectively. It was super stable and nice on all occasions, but I could imagine it requiring a lot of caution in lower snow conditions. I would recommend the route on the right side of the river descending from Queets (skiers right aka the south west side of the river). There is a giant cairn taking you from the river into the brush on a pretty good path into the Elwha basin with some intermittent trail finding before crossing the river to proper trail and Chicago Camp beyond. If you miss the giant cairn, the left side of the river is pretty bad bushwhacking and I would avoid that if possible. I believe the snow hump has melted out before, so probably just a year to year thing.

[Eaglecadd]

Thanks for the maps/aerials. I was out there 2 years ago in late August and also in Sept. 2011. As you said, less and less snow each year. Sad. Pretty soon we'll need to go out there in May to see snow. I recall doing a great long glissade down the snowfield to Stephen Lake. I wonder if it is even there now?

[Eaglecadd]

I just posted a TR on my Bailey Range trip. Check it out. It is in 2 parts. https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8030431 https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1163496#1163496