Trail Status - Route Finding Skills, Ice Axe, Streams
Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:05 am
Many GlacierParkChatters ask about trail conditions especially in spring or early summer. Many come from areas where these kinds of hiking conditions are completely foreign. Here is some info that maybe helpful.
The Trail Status pages on the Glacier Park Website are very helpful to determine the conditions that might be encountered on a given trail. This is especially useful in spring as trail conditions change from those typical in winter to summer conditions. It might be sunny, dry and clear of snow at the trailhead but hazardous conditions may still exist at higher elevations.
The Trail Status often mention that deep snow may require route finding skills; steep snow may require the use of an ice axe; and swift unbridged streams might be hazardous. Here's a few pics to somewhat illustrate these Trail Status entries.
Route finding skills required. Trail encounters deep snow. The snow here was observed to be at least 6 feet deep but the ground underneath was not seen. There is no evidence of the trail. In this instance at least the slope of the snow is not too steep. If one is lucky there will be footprints to follow and the snow will be soft. Early in the day though the snow may be rock hard and all footprints from the previous day might have melted away. One has to either know where the trail is going or choose a route that will avoid dangerous areas like tree wells or steep slopes.
Ice Axe and the knowledge of how to self arrest required. This snow is steep! If it extends for any distance a slip and fall could result in a high speed tumble down the slope. What if the snow ended in a cliff or big talus area? An ice axe is essential. One must also know how to use the ice axe to immediately and automatically self arrest.
Water Hazard. Swift, cold water and treacherous footing exist at unbridged stream and/or river crossings. Footwear with good traction, and stream/river crossing skill and experience are strongly advised. Remember that streams often increase volume of flow during the afternoon on warm sunny days. Streams that were fairly easy to cross in the morning may be much more interesting in late afternoon.
The Trail Status pages on the Glacier Park Website are very helpful to determine the conditions that might be encountered on a given trail. This is especially useful in spring as trail conditions change from those typical in winter to summer conditions. It might be sunny, dry and clear of snow at the trailhead but hazardous conditions may still exist at higher elevations.
The Trail Status often mention that deep snow may require route finding skills; steep snow may require the use of an ice axe; and swift unbridged streams might be hazardous. Here's a few pics to somewhat illustrate these Trail Status entries.
Route finding skills required. Trail encounters deep snow. The snow here was observed to be at least 6 feet deep but the ground underneath was not seen. There is no evidence of the trail. In this instance at least the slope of the snow is not too steep. If one is lucky there will be footprints to follow and the snow will be soft. Early in the day though the snow may be rock hard and all footprints from the previous day might have melted away. One has to either know where the trail is going or choose a route that will avoid dangerous areas like tree wells or steep slopes.
Ice Axe and the knowledge of how to self arrest required. This snow is steep! If it extends for any distance a slip and fall could result in a high speed tumble down the slope. What if the snow ended in a cliff or big talus area? An ice axe is essential. One must also know how to use the ice axe to immediately and automatically self arrest.
Water Hazard. Swift, cold water and treacherous footing exist at unbridged stream and/or river crossings. Footwear with good traction, and stream/river crossing skill and experience are strongly advised. Remember that streams often increase volume of flow during the afternoon on warm sunny days. Streams that were fairly easy to cross in the morning may be much more interesting in late afternoon.