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City of Rocks Spring 2023 Conditions
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Hi all. I live for the City, and the winter months are a drag to get through. At this time last year, I had already been climbing at City and Castle. With this wet season we have had, it’s my understanding that it’s still pretty wintery over there. My buddy went last weekend and climbed at Bath and Castle. Has anyone else had early season success yet? I need Stephen to install a webcam for me. |
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Also interested in a conditions report. Seems like a good year for some corn skiing and climbing combo trip! |
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You can ask them directly. From their FB page: Page ·https://www.facebook.com/CityOfRocksNPS/ 3035 Elba-Almo Rd; PO Box 169, Almo, ID, United States, Idaho (208) 824-5901 tara_mcclure-cannon@partner.nps.gov |
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I was just looking at COR’s Facebook page, latest post w/photos is from 6 days ago. Doubtful that much melting has happened since then. Text copied/pasted from this post: “For those with a little spring fever, please note it is still quite a winter wonderland in the City of Rocks. The roads are a fun mix of ice, snow, and mud depending on the time of day. The road is also restricted to one lane from Elephant Rock to Bath Rock. Essentially all the campsites are under at least a foot of snow and not accessible with vehicles. For more specific questions about early season camping and recreational access please contact the Visitor Center: 208.824.5910” Photo from this same post;  Looks like some possible melting this coming week?  |
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I am not on Facebook, so I appreciate y'all sharing! It feels like I won't be able to get out there until at least mid-April, which is a bummer. We need the snowpack, though! |
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Castle Rocks is a thousand vertical feet lower than the Bread loaves, and locals climb at Castles on sunny days practically year-round. So - you are probably right about mid-April for the upper City, but Castle should be good to go after a day or two of sun. |
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Always great to hear from you, Dave! Thanks for the info, I will try to get out there soon |
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It’s been the worst winter weather I’ve seen at City/Castle Rocks. Windy, cold, snowing often and not enough warm weather to melt much. Got stuck at Emery Pass/Breadloaves a few weeks ago and walked most of the way to Almo (in Crocs). Wednesday (Mar 22) looking at Castle Rock. Photo by Bryce Thatcher  |
RKM wrote: You must be from rexburg, Kim.. |
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Take care of yourself, Kim! I hope to run into you this year. Sorry I didn’t this last Fall. |
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I had planned on climbing in the city and or Castle in a week(1st April). Now I am wondering if it is worth going. |
RKM wrote: Yikes...that's classic! Geez, be careful out there! |
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Great thread! Having to wait will make it that much sweeter when it comes into play. |
RKM wrote: Crocs??? What is wrong with you? |
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City is always interesting, weatherwise. When we were there one January in full on dead of winter, it had a fair bit of snow already. Driving in, it was blizzarding, white out, here and there. On the flats around town, the snow was so blown off that the brown grass was showing, even some bare spots. But the fences were buried in drifts. Up at Bath, the rocks themselves had little snow, but the areas nearby were about 3' of postholing powder. There was a huge snow pile against Bath rock, so the Cowboy routes were all quite a bit shorter.....if anyone wanted to climb up for a snowshoe start. Not a bit of climbing, we were trying to scout ice. Had a free day before the rest of the crew showed over in Twin. Only a few hours at City, but, it's one of my all time favorite trips to COR. And probably the most beautiful, too. We were the only ones there that day, in the entire park, except for when Steven drove through on his start and end of day runs up to Bath and back. Saw the tire tracks, is all. If you have a way to be warm, just wander over anyway, with no aim of expecting climbing, and smile at the joy of being there. Best, Helen EDIT to add, I think Kim only ever wears crocs. Or climbing shoes. Pic is NOT current, but about 4ish years ago, January. My birthday, actually! November, December, February and March are the only months I've not been there. Maybe that'll be next years project!  |
 Lone Rock 3/26 |
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Can confirm the skiing on Cache Peak is awesome. 4100 ft of descent if you time it right from the peak to your car! Corn skiing May 9, 2017. South face gully.  Powder skiing Jan 12, 2019. Grape Creek burn glade.  |
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Castle Valley yesterday (Mar 30). Snowed more last night  Not sure its a good idea to drive up to Bath Rock either - today  Last year on March 31, I climbed routes in Hostess Gulley, Bath Rock and Window Rock. It was a perfect spring day! Stephen King has some pics of the snow drifts on the west side of Breadloaves. Hope he post them. Amazing depths |
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Thanks for the update, Kim! Hoping this will result in a super mild fire season around here at the least |
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Looks like a few more days but then some melting, at least at lower elevatoons. By Easter weekend could be worthy to hit Castle Rocks (I’m planning a trip that weekend!). I talked to someone today at the gym who’s been out to Castle already this spring. A lot of what people go to Castle to climb is good to go. Likewise I’ve talked to folks who’ve been to Massacre and Teddy Bear recently and got great conditions, as well. Smith Rocks, anyone, 2nd or 3rd weeks of April? This is forecast for Almo:  |
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Dumped rain that was thinking about being snow YET AGAIN here in Boise today. Local ski hill had FEETS of snow overnight, and all of it is lower elevation than COR. I've been advising friends to buy potato futures. Don't think eastern Idaho has been anything but deep in snow since....well, I dunno, but a long time ago. There were ducks paddling around on the street out front. Best, H. |
