Stonyford conditions? Week of March 12

[NorCal Factory]

Has anyone been up recently? I wonder if there is snow what the level is, and if the water crossings are an issue.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Has anyone been up recently? I wonder if there is snow what the level is, and if the water crossings are an issue.

Watercrossings while deep, shouldnt be an issue in Stonyford for experienced riders. Didnt go up, but you can see snow on Goat Mtn and other high peaks still. But it should be gone soon. Been 70+ the past days. Outside of Stony, some of the crossings are big right now. Wouldnt try three crossings for awhile. Friday a few crossings that are usually ankle deep were knee high. Didnt try the M5 crossing to Bartlett Springs road as I was solo. Flowing fast and looked deep. Sorry, didnt take pictures.

 

[Butch]

I love water crossings.

 

[NorCal Factory]

Watercrossings while deep, shouldnt be an issue in Stonyford for experienced riders. Didnt go up, but you can see snow on Goat Mtn and other high peaks still. But it should be gone soon. Been 70+ the past days. Outside of Stony, some of the crossings are big right now. Wouldnt try three crossings for awhile. Friday a few crossings that are usually ankle deep were knee high. Didnt try the M5 crossing to Bartlett Springs road as I was solo. Flowing fast and looked deep. Sorry, didn't take pictures.

Thanks but I'm not sure of what you mean by wouldn't try three crossings for awhile.

We often start from Little Stony and go to the top and left down to the creek. For all I know it is waist deep. 12" is fine, much deeper at the start of a day ride with filled boots is a little more thrilling but less fun overall.

And the snow up at 5,000 EL could easily still be there or even on the North side at 4,200' which is where trails 20/22 are.

Did you go up there?

 

[OaklandF4i]

Thanks but I'm not sure of what you mean by wouldn't try three crossings for awhile.

Outside of park, if you rode to Penny Pines

We often start from Little Stony and go to the top and left down to the creek. For all I know it is waist deep. 12" is fine, much deeper at the start of a day ride with filled boots is a little more thrilling but less fun overall.

Agree, But I would expect you will see a lot more than 12 inches in the larger crossings like on trail 27 or the bottom of 40 as you near the M10 and Fouts Springs. But they are the deeper crossings IN the park. If you remember water anywhere in the park, there will probably be at least 12 inches in it if not more

And the snow up at 5,000 EL could easily still be there or even on the North side at 4,200' which is where trails 20/22 are.

Yes, snow will be up that high on Goat Mtn until late spring. Been my experience you dont get nearly the accumulation only a 1000" lower, and regardless of north or south.... it melts much faster in the open where there isnt tree cover. Which unfortunately is a lot of the park after the different fires.

Did you go up there? No, was my intention to do a big loop through Stony, but water was too deep to cross solo at the M5 on the south side of the park. I could only see it. There is definitely plenty of snow.... but lots of park to ride without snow

See above. Sorry I cant give you more details. This is what I saw.

Edit: If I were to guess, no to little snow below 4k'. I'd drive up to the lookout to take a pic, but packing to head into the city.

 

[NorCal Factory]

Thanks a lot!

If the snow is too deep at 4,200 you can loose 20/22 etc and that is not nearly as fun. Sounds like those are good though.