Snow melt?

[bengator]

Understanding that it varies from year to year with conditions, does anyone have a guess as to about when the Marion Mountain trail will be (relatively) free of snow to the peak. I have a trail (running) race in July, and that trail is one of my favorties to train on . . .

Thanks for your thoughts.

[zippetydude]

In a typical year the north face of the San Bernardino mountains from Mt. San Bernardino to Mt. San Gorgonio isn't clear enough to run until after Memorial Day. Since they're right next door, the San Jacintos are probably similar. The Marion Mountain trail is on west and north facing slopes, so it will most likely have snow through May as well, though it may clear a week or two earlier.

What's the race you are going to be in?

z

[bengator]

Thanks much for the input. I am hoping for an early melt! But it helps me plan my training schedule to know best case scenario is probably early May and likely later.

The race is called Hardrock 100. I do a lot of my long ultra training on San Jacinto, but usually run late summer and early fall races, so I am up there starting in June. This race is in July so I am hoping to get up as soon as it is relatively clear. The race has lots of intense climbs at altitude with some snow crossings, so repeats up Marion Mtn trail will be perfect, but only if the trail is relatively clear . . .

[zippetydude]

If the snow is packed on the trail, just wearing micros will let you run all the parts you could normally run. Repeats sound rough! But then, the Hardrock is among the toughest of the 100 milers...

Did you post here about a year ago?

z

[bengator]

Hmmmm. I am generally a lurker, but may have posted . . .i honestly dont remember.

Yes repeats are rough, but Hardrock is no ordinary race. I am intimidated enough to try all kinds of crazy things!