RMNP alpine rock conditions

Has anyone been into Chasm View Wall, Spearhead, Arrowhead or Sky Pond who can give a conditions report on the approachs?

I’ve heard from friends that there’s still a ton of snow just below tree line and above. Most rock should be dry though so take boots and crampons to be safe for now would be a good call. It’s gonna be a late start to approach shoes all the way to the base 

Javier Goldsteinwrote:

I Most rock should be dry though 

 I don’t know how much precip fell up there in May. But many of the surrounding areas had near record rain after a heavy snow year. Genuinely curious about the conditions up theresince I hope to ge up there soon 

Greg Dwrote:

Huh. How is that possible. 

It's Science. Hard to explain

Greg Dwrote:

Huh. How is that possible. I don’t know how much precip fell up there in May. But many of the surrounding areas had near record rain after a heavy snow year. Genuinely curious since I hope to ge up there soon 

1. Snow usually doesn't stick to vertical rock

2. Snowmelt follows the past of least resistance, which may or may not cross your route 

3.  Rock dries quickly after rain with a little sun, wind, and/or time. 

After about a mile or two, the East Longs Peak trail has a ton of snow on it - it's fine in the morning, but a little frustrating later on. The snow bank before Peacock Pool can be negotiated relatively easy, as is getting to Chasm Lake. This was Wednesday (two days ago) looking at Chasm View Wall.

Any updates now? 

Been snowing - there's more snow up high than there was 2 weeks ago!

Long Rangerwrote:

Been snowing - there's more snow up high than there was 2 weeks ago!

Huh. How is that possible. 

trailridgewrote:

Huh. How is that possible. 

Keeps snowing, what can you do? 

RMNP posted this on 6/8 - there's slides on the N. Face of Longs Peak, kinda crazy: 

I've been up Longs March, April, and May. May has been the snowiest by far - snowiest I've ever seen it in 9 years and 60+ summits in every month of the year - and it's been snowing more since I was up.

Weather locally has been crazy wet - the hail storm in town left an appreciable amount of precip behind. This hail river is fucking bonkers, 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/06/13/boulder-colorado-hail-flooding-front-range/

Break out the skis man, king lines are out!

trailridgewrote:

It's Science. Hard to explain

How’s that science working out?

Last time I checked, weather science would require considering past and present data,   as well as future forecasts. Turns out it’s been raining and snowing nearly everyday since my last past two weeks ago. 

Friend took this of Glacier Gorge last week:

Any updated conditions on Indian peaks? (Not RMNP, but close enough) 

Is alpine rock in, or snow climbing couloirs? 

North side of Sharkstooth looking across to sky pond area direction. 

Samuel Ridgleywrote:

Any updated conditions on Indian peaks? (Not RMNP, but close enough) 

Is alpine rock in, or snow climbing couloirs? 

Did apache couloir and queens way on Sunday. Snow from car to summit. Snowed most of the day, walked across Lake Isabelle, and sunk halfway to knees at times in fresh wind-blown snow on apache, and even deeper in queens way. Trails packed to the lake though if it's not too hot. 

Bump

Ken Duncanwrote:

Bump

Bump?  Why at this point.

Enough climbers have been in the alpine over the last few weeks despite an exceptional wet rainy and even snowy June reporting conditions are a go in the alpine. And with a hot and dry week on tap this week, just go look for yourself. Don’t wait till the fall. Geez. 

Greg Dwrote:

Bump?  Why at this point.

Enough climbers have been in the alpine over the last few weeks despite an exceptional wet rainy and even snowy June reporting conditions are a go in the alpine. And with a hot and dry week on tap this week, just go look for yourself. Don’t wait till the fall. Geez. 

Umm, that seems possible. Well done