Mt Adams Rd??

Hey does anyone have any info on how far the rd is open for Adams south ridge route? It looks like the FS road conditions website hasnt been updated since mid April.

I was up there last week on the alternative route. The write up on their website is a bit off. You can actually drive all the way to the Snipes Mountain Trail. You will have to hike at least 2.5 miles until you see snow. Unless you can find a shortcut, you will have to hike through a burnt forest containing down trees and several creek crossing.

I spoke to the Ranger station about 2 weeks ago and she stated that the earliest possible opening of the standard SS trailhead could be mid June. If at all. She told me they hadn't sent a crew in yet to begin work and weren't going to until it melted out.

You mean opening to Morrison Creek by mid June?

FWIW: THe standard south route is currently closed below timberline -- a forest fire burned through the area last fall and left a lot of dammaged trees.

www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/al...?cid=stelprdb5172538

There is currently no projected date for lifting of the closure area. Any person violating the closure is subject to fines.

IDK how much enforcement there might be -- but I would certainly expect the clearing of downed logs from the roadway to be delayed. THe alternate route is roughtly 15 miles and 8000 vert round trip vs 11 miles 7000 vert from Cold Springs.

option a) risk the fine and go up the road.....
b) drive past the snipe trail and go to the end of the 150 rd this puts you at ~4500ft, well above the snipe trailhead and avoids the disaster that is the lower portion of snipe trail.  Go up the game trail/now beaten path than parallels the creek, cross the creek ~1/2-3/4 mile up, plenty of downed trees to use, and you will be on the snipe trail at the junction with pineway trail. Car to skiable snow is ~1.6 miles as of 5/18. And yes the traverse from the SW chutes is looooooooong.

@Patarero - Great to see reports this early!! I don't know if that is good or not? Will there be enough snow to last into July? Got any pics?

@Patarero - Great to see reports this early!!  I don't know if that is good or not?  Will there be enough snow to last into July?  Got any pics?

bumpity bumpity. Any news?

Someone on TGR is saying she was told by the FS that the South Climb was to "open" Saturday, which I assume just means that the fire closure ceases, and has nothing to do with the condition of the road, but I'm guessing.

Someone on TGR is saying she was told by the FS that the South Climb was to "open" Saturday, which I assume just means that the fire closure ceases, and has nothing to do with the condition of the road, but I'm guessing.

I just called to check, the nice lady on the other end of the line informed me that "word must travel fast, it MAY open Saturday", she instructed me to call back tomorrow to verify. She also just "happened" to mention that fee season starts Saturday.

It's amazing how this stuff works.

If the South Climb route were to be open this would imply that FS 8040 is clear and open to the Cold Springs TH? Dumb question... never climbed Adams before and just trying to get a clear picture of the route.

Thanks.

South Climb is OPEN!
www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!u...Alerts%20&%20Notices

If the South Climb route were to be open this would imply that FS 8040 is clear and open to the Cold Springs TH?  Dumb question... never climbed Adams before and just trying to get a clear picture of the route.

Thanks.

Great question. A lot of times earlier in the year it is open but you cant make it all the way to Cold Springs due to snow, or just some big snow banks. Though those with 4WD and raised usually start to "plow" out the road.

That being said I think this route was closed for "other" reasons (the fire right??). I haven't been down there for awhile myself, but really want to hit the ol' SW Chutes this spring.

It doesn't mean the road is driveable to the TH, though I have no idea if it is or not. It means the fire closure is over.

So stoked to shred the chutes next week!!!

Rd is open to the cold springs campground. FS plowed it. Not much parking though.