Marble Mtn Snopark, St. Helens current condition w/ pics!

[t30mg]

Thanksgiving day, 2016. 10:30 AM
There has been snow overnight. Very wet and slushy, but there is a probably 4" at Lahar.

It was raining when I drove in, but by the time I shot a view pics at the lava creek and headed back, it turned to snow.

It's probably going to take a couple of good dumps b4 we can cross Lahar, but I think I'll head up saturday for a rode ride and update the report!

 

[Ski Doo Jason]

Did you make it back up today? Thanks for posting the pictures !!

 

[t30mg]

I did make it back up today and was pretty disappointed.
The Marble Mt parking lot was pretty much bare ground so I drove by without stopping. It would have been difficult to unload and ride out of there unless you were on an UTV, ATV, ect..
The road up to Lahar was pretty well cleared off over half way there due to all the traffic on it. As I got closer, there was more and more snow on the road, but there was always asphalt visible in the center from tire tracks.
There was lots of traffic all the way to the turn around. Many subies, suv's, and 4x4 trucks.

The snow level at Lahar and across the Lava Creek was similar to last time.

It was 39`F, so the snow is wet and heavy.

I did stop near the bridge and unload a sled so the kids could putt around a bit, but it definitely isn't worth the trip up to ride yet.

I believe the gate closes next week, so any snow after that will be welcomed on the road and hopefully not tracked up by 4x4's.

There is a bit of snow forecasted for the next few days, so hopefully next saturday is better. I think it'll really depend on the freezing level. Hopefully it drops low enough to put a good base down.

I think I'll head back up in a week and see how it's looking.


Here are a couple pictures I snapped today.

 

[sthelenssldnx]

Thanks for the update, I really appreciate the pics and thorough review of conditions. Thanks for taking the bullet as it saves the rest of us a long drive followed by disappointment. Looks like good low temps and lots of new snow all week this week so hopefully next weekend is better.

 

[kkflyin25]

Thanks for the updates! Great Post

 

[kkflyin25]

Any updates on conditions at marble Mt?

 

[t30mg]

No updates yet. I ended filling in for someone at work this week so that filled my friday and saturday AM.
The forecasted snow for Lahar and Marble Mtn was pretty bleak each day.
Looks like there is probably lot's of new snow up high, but I am doubtful of crossing Muddy creek or Lahar yet.

I'm pretty busy tomorrow, so I may not make the trip up.

Looks like there is a chance for some real measurable snow down low this weekend and early next week, so I think we'll be good after that.

I will plan to head up next friday or saturday.

If anyone wanders up there this weekend, please let us know what it's like up there!

 

[kkflyin25]

I might cruise up and check it out tomorrow. Ill post here if I do

 

[t30mg]

Snotel and lot data.

There are 3 sno-tel sites on Mt. St.Helens that report the current snow depth. They update automatically, and will give you an idea of what is happening on the mountain.
Keep in mind, that it's possible for an isolated area to get significantly more or less snow than your favorite riding areas.

Here is a link to the sno-tel sites: Helen's SnoTel

You will notice there are several colored circles on the map. These are the snotel sites. Simply hover your pointer over the circle to get basic info such as the site's name, elevation, and the current snow depth. You can also click on it if you want more info.
The circles are also color coded for snow depth. A chart in the lower left corner explains color coding.

Currently, Swift Creek is reporting 56 inches and thats at 4440'. June lake is reporting 29" and that is at 3440'. That's almost half the snow in 1000' drop of elevation. Marble Mtn Snopark is at 2700' and based off of those levels, probably has very little snow.

Here is a link for Marble Mtn SnoPark: Marble Mt

It doesn't look like this one updates daily. It's currently reporting current conditions as 11/29/16 with just a dusting of snow.

For perspective, the June lake snotel showed as high as 37" on the 29th! That means they must have had a bit of rain to bring it down to its current 29". It also shows that you cannot use the snow level at 3440' as a guide for what you'll find in the parking lot.

I hope this helps all you guys get a better feel for the conditions up there. But still, even with this digital info, nothing beats a real life report with pictures.

If you make it up there in the near future, please take some pics and report back to us!

 

[Brian101]

Updates?

Anyone make it up Sunday?

 

[kkflyin25]

Havent made it up to Helens. I went to Adams Sunday. About 1ft plus at snowpark.

 

[Vincenthdfan]

Havent made it up to Helens. I went to Adams Sunday. About 1ft plus at snowpark.

Which snopark, Johnson Creek??

I know Orr Creek is still closed...

 

[t30mg]

Marble Mt/St Helens 12/07/16

I made it on the hill today!
I was very encouraged on the way up due to snow on the ground in Cougar and by the time we made it into the parking lot, there was around a foot on the edges of the road.
The trail out to Lahar is in good condition right now. There has been quite a bit of sled traffic on it and there are no wheel/jeep ruts. Pretty easy to run the speed limit on it.

I was mildly disappointed to find only slightly more snow on the lava creek as in the parking lot. You cannot go to bridge and drop in yet, so a little tree riding is necessary. You don't have to go in very far before you can take the creek up though, and you still need to be careful in there as many boulders are still only lightly covered.

Once you get up to the upper canyons and draws above lahar, the snow is very nice on the slopes. Plenty deep for sidehilling and climbing. Up in the plains, it is windblown and icy on the knolls. Not much deep on that side and the lava rocks are barely covered and very dangerous to your sled.

So overall, you can definitely get out of the parking lot and up on the mountain, but it really needs more snow up there.
I am not disappointed for going, and really enjoyed my day.

There is lot's of new snow in the forecast tomorrow, friday, and saturday. If the forecast is right, next week we should be able to go and play everywhere.

 

[SlickO]

Nice. Any more resent updates? I'm trying to decide between marble mountain and snow king on Monday. Someone should be out there today, if you were we want to know.

 

[halffast800]

Hey t30mg Sure wish I was going to be out there for Christmas this year. Hoping maybe next year. Did you get your sled moved from Denver?


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[t30mg]

Hey t30mg Sure wish I was going to be out there for Christmas this year. Hoping maybe next year. Did you get your sled moved from Denver?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I think you ought to change your mind and make it happen this year.
The early snow has been awesome and we have another up to 29" forecasted for Helens by Monday night

I think this is the big snow year that comes every 8 or so years.

Yup, got the sled home. Stripped her down yesterday and selling parts as we type!

 

[carlnytro]

Was up Adams yesterday very good up on the topside. Was debating on riding tomorrow their or possibly Tuesday St.Helens, just need a riding partner.

 

[HalfBrit]

Lots of snow at marble. I didn't make it far due to not having my shock adjusted properly and didn't want to damage kit. Bottoming out. Two others on bikes continued. I'll report what they saw.

other 2 made off trail at lahar about 300yds then turned back. super deep.

 

[SlickO]

Took the bike out first time.
https://youtu.be/iyNgh0Y7MyM

 

[t30mg]

By now everyone knows that Marble Mtn has tons of snow and they are grooming the trail.

One update of interest is that pine creek is now passable.

I was up yesterday and crossed Lahar both going out and coming back. But on the way I noticed all the tracks in Pine Creek so I dropped in and ran it up and then back down. Do be careful though, it's much easier to get down to the creek than it is to get back up on the road.

Friday was absolutely beautiful for the half the day. We were in the parking lot when the sun came up and rode in the sun until about noon. Then the clouds blew in and visibility reduced and made it hard to see what the terrain in front of you was doing, so we headed down.

All in all, it was an awesome 6 hrs of riding! We came back to a pretty full parking lot, but we only saw 4 other sleds on the mountain. I guess we picked the right places to go to cause some other friends reported seeing over 30 sleds on the mountain!

We rode where there were very few and often no tracks, but lahar was beat down by all the traffic.

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