Local Observations

December 21, 2022

We’re back!! We’re back with local observation reporting for the Reno-Tahoe region.

Us snow lovers are rejoicing for early December blanketed us with 4-5 feet of fresh snow in the upper elevations. The deep snowpack has made our holiday recreating really beautiful especially with the sunny skies hitting the region this week despite the unsettled weather forecast. We recommend getting out there to take a break from the holiday madness and enjoy the beauty!

Galena

It’s all snow down and around the main parking lot. Snowshoes or microspikes are recommended to enjoy the Jones-Whites Creek Trail System.

Tahoe Meadows

The meadow and surround area is completely buried with snow. Enjoy traveling in fresh snow with snowshoes or following the highly trafficked paths with winter footwear. Nevada Nordic has had consistent grooming of their trails with tracks laid for XC skis or plain old walking on the wider section of the groomed pathway. (Don’t snowshoe in the ski rails.)

Mt. Rose Trail

With a large amount of snow but a lot of traffic, you can navigate pretty well without snowshoes but equally as easy to use them if you don’t have microspikes available.

February 1, 2022

After a seriously buried December, the snow lords have given us a break.  With January being mostly dry in terms of precipitation, a high wind session for the early part of the month and it mostly staying quite cold, the Tahoe snowpack has remained but is pretty firm all around.  What that means is that on untracked terrain, you’ll encounter a mix of hard packed snow, low to no post-holing or post-holing with a firm crust of snow.  On any terrain that is tracked, think the popular trails, you’ll encounter hardpacked, icy terrain.  Snowshoes are almost not necessary with microspikes being favored.

Unfortunately for some backcountry skiers and splitboarders, we’re in desperate need of fresh snow or warming temps to change the conditions.  While there have been some reports of corn skiing on southern facing slopes, we have yet to find it or find it that consistently ourselves.  Anything else usually entails having an ice axe in hand, just in case, kind of really slick scenarios.

If you are into multi-sports then no worries, the conditions are better than ever for some crunchy mountaineering steps!  The walking is especially fast if you are on shaded terrain with crampons on boots.

Carson Pass

Mid January we headed out to climb Crescent Couloir on Round Top.  This area is completely wind affected and the early shade that hits the slopes keeps the snowy terrain pretty firm.  Morning travel from the trailhead will give you firm footsteps and no snowshoes required, however, microspikes are highly recommended.  If you are hitting the lake area by mid-day, the snow could soften up but the minute the shade hits, it will be firm.  If you are heading up the ridge to hike the summer Round Top hiking route, crampons are needed but the climb will be fast and firm.

Conditions in the couloir varied from excellent at the bottom(to ski) to good to climb most of the way, to thin at the crux with hoar snow that offered little in the way of retaining footsteps as it had been skied off by an earlier party.  The crux, at the time, had minimal ice for axe/crampon grip.  We roped up and placed protection just before this section.

Red Lake Peak and Southern facing aspects are pretty wind scoured and just about bare in a lot of areas. Looking out to the south side of Freel appeared to be the same.

Galena

Lots of snow still remains in the Galena Creek area.  The snow from the second parking lot of Jones Whites Creek Loop Trailhead is heavily trafficked making the terrain quite firm, hard packed and slippery, if not wearing the right footwear.

Snowshoes would be overkill for the trails here but microspikes extremely recommended especially if you are heading up slope to the Jones loop as the descent back down will be slick and dangerous on the steeper terrain.

Despite the appearance of lots of foot traffic at the entrance, the trails are quite quiet and a beautiful, peaceful way to get out into the wilderness.  Pack your traction though!

Mt. Rose Wilderness

Our exploration on the west side of Tamarack near Relay Road offered wet, sun affected snow. Snowshoes would be best here during the day but expect it to be icier during the morning and dusk when the temperature is much lower.

Huffaker Hills

Dry.  Dry.  What else would we expect?  The terrain is great to get some lunchtime hiking or rather rocky running on snow free terrain in the area.  And no snakes this time of year so pretty much a win for a quick one with views of the city.