Wild Iris Predicted Opening

I'm wondering when Wild Iris will be accessible this year. According to Wild Iris Mountain Sports conditions report: "As of 4/1/23: Wild Iris is too cold. Will be accessible sometime around late spring depending on snowpack. We got a LOT of snow this year so it may open later." I'm thinking of heading up there in late May--with the large snowpack will that be too early this year? Or is it too early to tell yet? Any thoughts/predictions would be appreciated so I can start planning!

My wife and I checked it out on skis a week or so ago. lots of snow this year, and just got another foot or so today. the later your trip the better, probably. Next week looks nice. Maybe it’ll melt out fast. 

If you're motivated, you'll be able to climb up there in late May. You might just have to work for it more this year. Bring boots and expect to do some snow wading before you get some initial trails broken. Once those are in, I bet the sunny areas will be prime. Having an AWD or 4x4 would be wise. 

I'll probably go up next week after this upcoming warm spell to have a peek around and can report back.

Looks deep this year!
4/7, 50degs no wind

The WIMS conditions report just updated: https://www.wildirisclimbing.com/area-conditions#climbing-access.. Still no word on Wild Iris/Wolf Point/Strawberry Roan.

Just went by and the fence posts are starting to stick out of the drift at the entrance, so... ~4ft to go? The drifts up the switchback are certainly much larger.

Snowing up there today...no unnecessary travel and a foot predicted at the highway level. May be in the 60s by Monday but it well could snow more in May.  Wouldn't count on much till June at this rate, but could be wrong.  Welcome to Wyoming. Pay your money, take the ride (thanks Hunter S Thompson).

Limestone Mountain WYDOT webcam

When I want to check the access road to Wild Iris, Limestone mountain road, I use the WyDot webcam at the link above. Can be found on the Wild Iris website conditions page as well. 

Another conditions update for those interested: wildirisclimbing.com/area-c…

Webcams seem promising as well as the snow depth on Gaia. Anyone been up recently?

Satellite imagery from a few days ago.

Just drove up the road on the way into Lander to take a peek and it’s perfectly clear all the way up until maybe 300 yards before the parking lot - but gets deep pretty quickly -probably a foot or so if my guess is anywhere near accurate. You can see the pit toilet and the crag in the photo.

Not sure if the last switchback below the parking lot is permissible for day parking but I’m going to assume that stopping at the snow line isn’t allowed. If anyone is interested in heading up there to climb before the 30th, let me know, I’ll join you.

Please don’t park on the road at the snow drift.
please do daypark in the switchback off the road back down a little bit.
The folks that need to get to the towers sometimes will plow it when it gets to this point.
seems good to go!
Have fun out there!

Hey.  I was wondering if there’s any updates on the road?  Wondering if they plowed it and if camping is open yet?

I climbed there Tuesday 6/6. There was still about 50-100’ length section of snow, similar to what you see in Charlie’s photo, that prevented cars from getting past that section. Most folks parked just before the snow on the side and just walked up. I have no knowledge of camping other than I saw nobody camping that day. 

Thanks for the update

Everything is good to go