conditions from tram to summit

[bdog]

anyone know if there is much snow? can this be done in running shoes with little issues?

thanks.

[neverwashasbeen]

There was no snow to speak of and very little ice on the trail today. Running shoes should be fine until the next storm.

[Hikin_Jim]

Slight chance of snow starting Thursday night.

HJ

[Zé]

on sunday there was only a little bit of ice on the last 100 feet to the summit. I am assuming you are going for a FKT. Good luck Brett and let us know how it goes.

[zippetydude]

Actually, if you're really looking for a fast time, go again after the snow pack has built up. The winter route is still legitimate (at least IMHO) and if you choose your time, say a few days after the most recent snowfall, and go up on the first tram on a Sunday morning the trail will be clear, straight, and packed as firm as a sidewalk. Of course, it's steeper, but my best winter time is way faster than my summer best because it's only 2.9 miles instead of 5.5. Of course, none of this makes any difference but it sure is fun to play with. Good luck, the weather should be perfect.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

You probably know about it, but the most direct route to the summit is the "Sid Davis" route.

The Sid Davis route cuts off maybe a mile each way. There's a use trail for part of the route and an old, abandoned (but still followable) trail for part of the route.

HJ

[greatshaitan]

You probably know about it, but the most direct route to the summit is the The Sid Davis route.

I tried that route once. Ended up boulder hopping and bushwacking through 6ft tall shrubs. Very easy to lose it.

[KathyW]

You probably know about it, but the most direct route to the summit is the The Sid Davis route.

I tried that route once. Ended up boulder hopping and bushwacking through 6ft tall shrubs. Very easy to lose it.

Unless there's good snow coverage, the standard route via Round Valley/Wellman's Divide is just as fast, if not faster, and easier to follow.

[Hikin_Jim]

It took me a couple of shots before I got the route down.

In my experience it's faster even when there's no snow. Last Thursday, we were following two guys down from the Miller Saddle area. They were just slightly faster than we were. We cut off on the Sid Davis Route, and they continued on the main route to Wellman Divide. We stopped in Tamarack Valley to reconnoiter some of the camp sites. We still beat them back to the tram by around 15 minutes even though they were slightly faster.

I've had the same experience on the ascent: I'll see someone in the tram that I know is faster than I am. I'll go up the Sid Davis Route. I'll then see the faster people summit after I do.

HJ

[bdog]

thanks for the advice. unfortunately i don't know the direct route well. i did it once a long time ago. something came up and i wasn't able to go today, but i might go tomorrow instead before the next storm hits. if so then i'll probably decide at the tram whether to continue or not and i would probably take the regular trail.