Marble Mountains Memorial Day Weekend Tr ip

“Anyone know what happened to Oldtimer, looks like he's bowing out!”

“Haven't heard from him. How did you hear he was not going?”

“The trips page now shows 3 as going!”

“saw that too. Getting to be a small group.”

“Well, I'm still in. How's the snow been down that way? It's been one wild spring up here, still getting snow above 3000' on a regular basis.”

“In the last 2 weeks the Tahoe area has gotten over 10 feet in some locations. Made for my best day of skiing this year but it takes a while for 10' to melt. Snow has been down to 2000'. Not sure what it's like in the Marbles but I think the northern coastal ranges have been getting quite a bit of precip too.”

“an't to good here. Snowed 2" this am but is gone now. Effective snow level has been about 4500'. From reports I've been getting from about 5500' up as got anywhere from 2-6', it is wet and not very stable. So if it warms up it will come off fast. Dunk, as you can guess I'm not going the end of the month. If it would frezze I might still do some overnighter.”

“Trinity Trekker, what's the latest on the snow pack, is it diminishing at all? Do we need to start thinking of a backup plan?”

“It's not looking too good, for me being able to make this trip, but I should know for sure in a few days”

“We don't need any more stinking snow, or rain either.

The on the ground and all over the place snow level right now is 3500 on the north slopes and maybe 5000 on the south ones. As to how much, Shimmy lake at 6800 logs in with 159" , 13+ FEET! On the real side at the 6-7k the range is 70-100", at 5000 it can be none to 4'. It is 'spose to start wasming up and most of this snow is unstable and will come off fast.

As to the Marbles, there will be snow in the upper parts of Rainy and Elk, with patches along the ridge. Stream crossings will be high and cold but I don't see any reason to change if the weather does what is forcasted.

However a plan "B" might be in order.”

“Plan B Options:

The Lost Coast
South Warner
Stuart Fork
Wooley Creek
Wilderness Falls

Any other thoughts?”

“I really don't care, I just want sunshine. What's on the ground doesn't matter, just don't want anything falling from above for more that, say 24hrs. Had a little cloud burst this afternoon and it put us over 80" sence June. I'm begining to feel that I really live in Oregon. Anyway, for the first time it really smells, feels and looks like spring. So....”

“If we can do the Marbles trip without bringing too much extra gear, I'm for it. If you recall, spring was back in January, February and March. Winter restarted in April. the ski area I frequent has received 300" since April 1.”

“Is an ark to much or is it the animals?

I think the Marbles are doable. Just pack a real tent,( 4 season )rain gear and crampons. Oh yes, the 6-pack, there woun't be any problem keeping it cold.”

“Looks like the worm has turned. It was a unseasonalible 83 today and no rain in sight. So the ark may not be needed.

Dunk, look at your road map. If you get off I-5 just above Weed, at the Gazelle exit, turn west in down town Gazelle, that road will take you to Callahan. Where you can turn and go down the S Fork of the Salmon to the Salmon and on to the Klamath and 96. Or through Callahan to Etna, turn, go over Etna summitt and down the Salmon to 96. Both are about the same in time and a lot quicker than up to Yreka, back to Fort Jones and down the Scott to 96.”

“TT, I'll take a look, I think I know the route you're talking about and it makes sense, especially with the destination being Happy Camp and not the NE section of the Marbles. Hear anything from ChinaChas?”

“Not sence the last post, figured you two had been E-mailing back and forth.

I think I may drive over on Wen. night and camp at the TH. Need to get far away from this place.”

“I'm still not sure when I'm gonna get out. Best case scenario, I take Wednesday off and skip class and head up Wednesday arriving at the trailhead Wednesday afternoon or early evening. Regardless, I should be at the trailhead by Thursday mid-morning at the latest.”

“Looks like I'm gonna have to miss this one. Ya know I hate to do it, but it seems I still have a job........ for now anyways.

Hope you enjoy the long weekend !!”

“I've arranged work to get off around 5pm on Wednesday so should reach the trailhead by 11-12 that night. I'm packing tomorrow. Should be some fun stream crossings.”

“Man, I am extremely envious. No time for me to do this now...

Have a great time, Dunk!!”

“have you heard from China?”

“I have not, I emailed him on Sunday, no reply.”

“looks like I won't make the TH untill mid morning Thur. The guy who works for me up and quit Monday so things aren't going as fast as I planned. Guess it looks like China's not going to make it, maybe he's really in China and has SARS problems. I'll bring the cards you bring the board.”

“I'll try and find a board, I think I know where I have a small one.”

“So, like, did you guys go on this hike? I'm thinking of hitting the Marbles over the Mem. weekend 2004.

It's early but any recommendations?”

“Hola Rockman, how goes the TTFFL? Two of us did end up attempting the trip. Myself and Trinity Trekker. We took all 5 days and hit some of the higher elevations but high waters and miles of rotten snow, several feet deep, kept us from completing the trip as planned. It was still a good time as we visited several snowed in lakes, saw a couple bears and one Elk. We had the place to ourselves.

My recommendation would be to monitor the snow conditions going into early spring. If the snowpack is light, there's plenty of opportunities. I think we'll also probably end up getting a trip together in that part of the state. Siskiyou, Alps, Marbles, Lost Coast...who knows?”

“Here's the links to the pics:

Marble Mountains - Memorial Day 2003

Marble Mountains II - Memorial Day 2003

The pictures for the Memorial 2003 trip begin with the 7th pic in the 1st album”