[pct-l] Washington snowpack for southbound thru-hike

["Roger Carpenter" <rogercar@pacifier.com>]

Dharmabum has been asking about snow conditions on his planned southbound thru-hike.  I have not hiked on the PCT in northern Washington during mid-June, but I know that lots of snow may linger until July, but it really melts fast during that month.  To get a good idea of the snowpack history at various points in Washington (and Oregon), I suggest this web site that some listers may already know about.

http://crystal.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snowsurveys/

A good way to navigate to the historical data is to click on "Maps" at the bottom, then click on Washington, and select a spot along the PCT, such as Harts Pass.  The link to "historic snow water data" opens a report that has daily measurement data for every day since 1983.  For example, Harts Pass had measurable snowpack until July 20 in 1999 (which was a very high snowpack year!).  In 1998 it melted out on June 13 at Harts Pass.   Back at the main menu, click on the Current Snow - Precipitation Update Reports (these are the same type of reports the California Snow Page has).   Harts Pass is at 86% of average, but some other places along the PCT.   Naturally, the PCT in northern Washington traverses elevations higher than Harts Pass, which is at 6500'.  But this web site shows us that this is a fairly average snowpack year so far.  

Roger Carpenter
Vancouver, Washington USA

PCT 1996

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