Hardrock Course June 24-25

Looking from American Basin to American/Grouse pass

American Basin from Handies summit

Starting towards Grizzly Gulch from Handies summit ridge

Descent tracks down into Grizzly Gulch

Looking back up into Grizzly Gulch

Looking down Grizzly

Saddle between Putnam and Porcupine

Dropping into Swamp Canyon

Looking back at Swamp Canyon from Oscars Pass

The classic: Island Lake

     The snow has receded considerably in the last week. Silverton to Oscars Pass was pretty straight forward with patches of snow that were mostly firm. There was some snot slick mud descending into Porcupine Gulch. The steep descent from Grant/Swamp pass is dry. That was on Wednesday 25th. The day before in American Basin was a bit different. A few good patches of firm snow, but also some decent stretches of knee deep slush with a couple holes where I fell to my waist. From the summit of Handies there was one fun glissade to Grizzly Gulch, which had a bit of mud, but nothing too bad. Looks like things will be just about perfect for race day!

Hardrock course June 17-19

Looking across the saddle between Bear and Porcupine Creeks

Looking North from the saddle into Cataract Creek and South Mineral

Maggie Gulch

Things get strange in Pole Creek

Heading up Cataract Gulch

One of the few big drifts left in Pole Creek

Descending into Pole Creek from Pole/Cataract Pass

Beautiful singletrack heading towards the confluence with the Middle Fork of Pole Creek

Pole Creek = Elk Heaven

Dives-Little Giant Pass. What a difference a week makes.

A whole lot of snow melted in the last week. I predict a fairly dry race, but not nearly as dry as the last two years.
     I received a wonderful reminder of how quickly things change in the San Juans as I huddled in some trees near the location of the Pole Creek aid station with my dogs on Wednesday. It was blowing snow and groupel with intense thunder coming from Maggie-Pole Pass (where I was headed.)  We waited and shivered for about fifteen minutes and then it was sunny and warm as we ascended to the Pass. The day before I had struggled to stay upright in fifty mile an hour winds along the ridge above Putnam Basin. I love the mountains!

Hardrock course conditions June 10-11

Basin near Green Mtn looking towards Cunningham

Looking down into Maggie Gulch

Dives-Little Giant Pass

From Grant-Swamp Pass looking North

From Kamm's Traverse looking Southwest

Looking Northwest into Ice Lakes drainage on KT

There is still a lot of snow on North facing slopes in the trees and at higher elevations. The dust is really accelerating the melt, and things are changing quickly. Lots of fun post holing for now!