Fwd: Donner Summit Snow Report #14

[Paul Minault]

Forwarding in case anybody wants to get on his email list for snow reports.

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	Donner Summit Snow Report #14
Date:	Fri, 14 Apr 2017 05:52:06 +0000
From:	Richard Simpson <0000005d0e30935...@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG>
Reply-To:	Richard Simpson <hut....@yahoo.com>
To:	LOMAP-...@LISTS.SIERRACLUB.ORG

When I left Donner Summit three weeks ago, I assumed continued warm temperatures and increasing sunshine would wear the snow pack down and I'd come back to something that looked like a mature "shoulder" season.  Didn't happen.  We pulled in at 8 PM, so I've not had a good look at the snow; but there is significantly more on the deck than when we left, and there's nearly a foot in the street.  We had to clear three chain control checkpoints to get from the Valley to the Summit.  At 10:30 PM it's 25F and snowing lightly; forecast for sunrise is 13F, and tomorrow should be sunny all day with a high of only 34F.

With a couple feet of new snow reported last weekend and the new foot today, the base is being restored.  Water is churning down the South Yuba River, and Donner Pass Road could be flooded in places if the level rises 6-12 inches more.

Sierra Avalanche Center forecast "2.Mioderate" today but with a warning that afternoon sun could increase hazards by making snow wetter and less stable.  There wasn't much sun, and colder temperatures moving in now should give the new snow some time to settle.  Hal Tompkins spent three hours breaking trail to Bradley Hut last weekend; I'm expecting the same on my Bradley trip tomorrow.

Royal Gorge reported 47 km of groomed trails at 4 PM today; the Van Norden parking area had not been plowed this evening.  Their prediction for tomorrow: "Expect incredibly good conditions".  Royal Gorge will close its doors for this season at the end of business on Sunday.  Sugar Bowl reports 49 inches of new snow in the past 7 days; I believe they will stay open a week longer than Royal Gorge.

If you want to ski this weekend, tomorrow (Friday) is your best day.  Saturday will be partly cloudy with temperatures reaching the mid-40s.  Rain/snow moves back in on Sunday and will continue off and on through the following week.  Facilities may be crowded since this is a holiday weekend; road conditions and parking may be less than ideal.  But backcountry skiing will continue for many weeks to come, so don't panic if you can't get away this weekend.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To unsubscribe from the LOMAP-SKITOUR list, send any message to LOMAP-SKITOUR-...@lists.sierraclub.org, or visit Listserv online. For Listserv basics, technical tips, and community guidelines, check out our General FAQ. Listserv content is subject to the Sierra Club's Email List Policy and Terms and Conditions.