Home > Trip Reports > Feb 7-11, 2020, Wallowa Wanderings

Feb 7-11, 2020, Wallowa Wanderings

2/7/20
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Posted by Telepathetic on 2/23/20 1:38am
Wallowa Wanderings Trip Report:

https://youtu.be/ct5XVobtcc0

Feb. 7-11, 2020

Big Sheep hut and nearby mountains
26 miles
8500 ft. ascent

* Jeff Omelchuck
* David Burdick

Thanks to:
http://www.wallowahuts.com
Eagle Cap Wilderness-Wallowa Mountains
Some nice looking snow and wiggles!

Was wondering how the snow year there was looking - pretty good from the pics.  Been to McCully 6 times, need another trip!

author=kamtron link=topic=42685.msg166895#msg166895 date=1582499443]
Some nice looking snow and wiggles!


Thanks!  It's the wiggles we were going for! Nice term!
David

author=Chamois link=topic=42685.msg166896#msg166896 date=1582511907]
Was wondering how the snow year there was looking - pretty good from the pics. Been to McCully 6 times, need another trip!


snow was good at higher elevations.  Remarkable place.  Dry snow, few people.  David

Was debating heading there for my SB this year, third week of March. I've never skied in Eastern OR before, think it might be too late in the season? Kinda depends on how the next month delivers haha but have you ever been that late before? Thanks!

author=evanraj513 link=topic=42685.msg166916#msg166916 date=1582606471]
Was debating heading there for my SB this year, third week of March. I've never skied in Eastern OR before, think it might be too late in the season? Kinda depends on how the next month delivers haha but have you ever been that late before? Thanks!

This is my first time in a long time there.  Havent, in recent memory tell you about conditions.
But the folks that run the huts state that its pretty puff till start of April.
Might want to look at snowtell data to get an idea of temps and depths. (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/products/?cid=nrcs142p2_046181)
Cheers
david

Nice!  I did trips to Big Sheep and Wing Ridge for several years.  But I grew frustrated finding wind crust in all those big open bowls above timberline.  On my trips we always found the most enjoyable snow below timberline.  Looks like you hit the jackpot.

author=Randy link=topic=42685.msg166918#msg166918 date=1582638899]
On my trips we always found the most enjoyable snow below timberline. 


We spent 4 days at the McCully Basin yurts a few years ago. Our guide said "you can always find good snow somewhere in McCully Basin." We found it in the trees.

author=Randy link=topic=42685.msg166918#msg166918 date=1582638899]
Nice! I did trips to Big Sheep and Wing Ridge for several years. But I grew frustrated finding wind crust in all those big open bowls above timberline. On my trips we always found the most enjoyable snow below timberline. Looks like you hit the jackpot.

Hi Randy,
Yes, they just had a snow event while there.  Never been to Wing Ridge.  Do you have a preference?
David

As an FYI, my 6 trips to McCully were always the second to last week in March.  Only on one trip were we a bit snow-starved for two days before it started to snow again.  Powder depths ran from boot-top to hip deep (yea, that was the year I skied with a broken tele-binding).

Seems like it was always full-on winter each time we went.

author=Chamois link=topic=42685.msg166921#msg166921 date=1582654054]
As an FYI, my 6 trips to McCully were always the second to last week in March. Only on one trip were we a bit snow-starved for two days before it started to snow again. Powder depths ran from boot-top to hip deep (yea, that was the year I skied with a broken tele-binding).

Seems like it was always full-on winter each time we went.


good to know!  Thank you!
Off to hike the Hayduke in Utah.  I take it April is not a good month for good snow?

author=Telepathetic link=topic=42685.msg166920#msg166920 date=1582649208]
Hi Randy,
Yes, they just had a snow event while there.  Never been to Wing Ridge. Do you have a preference?
David


Wing Ridge is far less of a schlep to access the camp , particularly on the way out. The only downside is that you can get invaded on weekends by day skiers.

The $50/per person/per night fee is a bit hard to stomach for what these camps provide.    

author=Telepathetic link=topic=42685.msg166922#msg166922 date=1582656470]
good to know! Thank you!
Off to hike the Hayduke in Utah. I take it April is not a good month for good snow?


I think April is transition month up there. And the Wallow Alpine Hut folks start thinking about breakdown- but could be some good spring skiing

The Hayduke:  https://youtu.be/yyETLdSL4xg


author=Randy link=topic=42685.msg166923#msg166923 date=1582660442]
The $50/per person/per night fee is a bit hard to stomach for what these camps provide.


lol...let's just call the accommodations "rustic"

author=Chamois link=topic=42685.msg166924#msg166924 date=1582662649]
I think April is transition month up there. And the Wallow Alpine Hut folks start thinking about breakdown- but could be some good spring skiing

The Hayduke:  https://youtu.be/yyETLdSL4xg




yep, we are in for a duzy of a hike!  Thanks for the inspiration.

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2020-02-23 09:38:47