Incredible Hulk Conditions

What are the conditions on the Incredible Hulk at the moment? How are the creek crossing and snow levels on the approach and on the face? Is the descent gully fully snowed in?

I am wondering the same

https://snowbrains.com/trip-report-the-trip-report-the-incredible-hulk-ca-hulk-left-couloirincredible-hulk-hulk-left-couloir/

Might give ya some info you’re looking for

Skied out there a few days ago. Sure wouldn’t want to biff the stream crossing but it goes. Put the skis on at around 8,200’. Descent gully is still a ski line. Doesn’t spend much time in the sun; you’ll want the sharp pointy things.

Anybody been out here since?

Climbed two weeks ago approaching and descending on skis which was fun but unnecessary. Everything on it is dry. Bring some traction for few bits of steep snow on approach. You’ll have to rap, couloirs looked steep and getting icy. 

If we ever get another big snow year I’d go up on a warm day in early to mid May to get the best combo of skiing and climbing conditions 

Via Caltopo: (6/25/23)

Does anyone have an update on conditions? Looking to potentially go next week. Are axes and crampons required? Or can you get away with snow spikes or less?

Heard that someone punched through the snow into the river coming down the waterfall section a few days ago. They made it out but sounds like it could have been fatal. 

Also heads up that they're ticketing cars parked overnight along the road, even in spots without no parking signs.

Just went up yesterday, need minimum micro spikes and poles. Lots of snow, snow bridges are dangerous around waterfalls. But snow made travel much quicker. Snow will be melting a lot this week due to warmth upcoming this week.  Check weather before heading up. Log crossing is good.  

Took another lap up the Hulk yesterday.  Didn't bring micro spikes since the over night lows weren't that low and we figured conditions would be soft.  That was a poor choice.  Snow was extremely firm and fairly hard to travel on without spikes.  Doable but annoying.  At the steep section about 1/4 mile below camp we had to divert to the right and scramble up an easy rock buttress.  

The trail down low through the main valley had dried up a little but still a bit wet.  

When you are going up the main trail down low there is still some avalanche debris and a bunch of down'd trees.  There is cairn and faint trail going around the right side (when you are going up) but this is bad beta.  It is much easier and cleaner to go left and below the debris

Any updates on snow conditions for the approach and decent gully? Are crampons/micro spikes essential? Thinking of heading out there in the next 2 weeks.

John Riise wrote:

Any updates on snow conditions for the approach and decent gully? Are crampons/micro spikes essential? Thinking of heading out there in the next 2 weeks.

At this point in the conversation, if you have to ask, you're not ready to climb at the hulk.

So, anyone been up there yet this spring? Looking to start getting in some granite pitches in before bigger stuff this year. Enough snow to be safe or so little snow that it’s safe to approach

John Clark wrote:

So, anyone been up there yet this spring? Looking to start getting in some granite pitches in before bigger stuff this year. Enough snow to be safe or so little snow that it’s safe to approach

It's still getting skied regularly.

Doug Leonard wrote:

It's still getting skied regularly.

So goodish. Nice.

Anyone been on Buckeye road recently? I’m wondering if there’s still a lot of snow on the shady parts of the road. 

oscar westesson wrote:

Anyone been on Buckeye road recently? I’m wondering if there’s still a lot of snow on the shady parts of the road. 

According to the Mono County roads page, Buckeye is open: https://monocounty.ca.gov/roads/page/county-road-closures

Was up at the Hulk to ski this past weekend. Approach looks good! Some traction could make it easier if you're getting an alpine start. Not sure when the creek will start melting out.