Conditions Report - August 24 2011

 NORTHWEST:

-- Fifteen miles of Highway 2 in the Tumwater Canyon were shut down due to a 100 acre wildfire.  Update from AAI Guide Kurt Hicks: I just drove down the Tumwater tonight. The fire is a low-intensity one, burning underbrush and downed materials; smoke is somewhat minimal in the lower canyon and is worst in the mornings. The burn is centered near the Swiftwater Picnic Area and is burning on the north side of Highway 2.  It has not burned close to any crags other than the bouldering on that side of the road.  

-- An approaching frontal system will bring fairly heavy precipitation to Mt Rainier early this week. Precipitation will likely begin late Monday afternoon or early evening, the bulk of it will fall Monday night, with lighter precipitation lingering into Tuesday morning. Storm total precipitation will probably be around 0.50 inch. The snow level will be in the 12000 to 13000 ft range, so expect something like 5 inches of snow above that. 

-- More reports of aggressive mountain goats in the North Cascades. The North Cascades complaints have come from hikers on trails near Long's Pass and Eagle Pass. Click here for more information.  

--Denali Park to Burn Debris Piles near Birch Creek Cabin--

Fire Management staff at Denali National Park and Preserve will burn piles
of debris consisting of trees and brush in the vicinity of the new Birch
Creek Cabin beginning Monday, August 22, continuing through Thursday,
August 25, conditions permitting.

The cabin is located along Birch Creek, approximately 31.5 miles northwest
of Kantishna and 16.5 miles southeast from Minchumina.

Smoke may be visible from the surrounding area and from aircraft.  NPS Fire
Management staff will be monitoring the burn on site, which is expected to
last three to four days.  The material being burned is natural debris
resulting from hazard fuel reduction treatment (fire protection) around
structures, brushing along the park road and from various maintenance
projects around the park.

Additional park information can be obtained by calling (907) 683-9532 from
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily or on the web at www.nps.gov/dena. Stay
connected with "DenaliNPS" on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and
iTunes – links to these social media sites are available at
www.nps.gov/dena .

                                 -NPS -

-- Forecast for the East Slope of the Cascades.

-- Forecast for the West Slope of the Cascades.

-- Webcam for Leavenworth and the Stuart Range.

-- Forecast for Mount Rainier.

-- Route and Conditions Report from Mt. Baker Rangers: Mount Baker Climbing Blog.

-- Forest Service Road Report for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

-- Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams conditions and recreation report.

-- Webcams for Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Leavenworth.

-- An up-to-date ski and snow report for the Northwest may be found here.

-- Up-to-date Pacific Northwest ice conditions may be found here.

SIERRA:

-- For up-to-date avalanche and weather reports in the Eastern Sierra, click here.

-- Webcams for Bishop, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass.

RED ROCK CANYON:

--Weather Forecast Link for Calico Basin area Calico Basin Weather.

-- Forecast and average temperatures for Red Rock Canyon.

-- Webcam for Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

-- The late exit and overnight permit number for Red Rock Canyon is 702-515-5050. If there is any chance that you will be inside the park after closing, be sure to call this number so that you don't get a ticket.

-- The entrance to the scenic drive had a parking area for those who wanted to carpool up until approximately April of 2009. That lot has now become employee parking and people who want to carpool are required to park at the lot outside the Scenic Drive exit.

--The scenic drive currently opens its gates at 6 in the morning.

JOSHUA TREE:

-- Forecast and average temperatures for Joshua Tree National Park.

-- Webcam for Joshua Tree National Park.

-- As winter use in Joshua Tree is growing, camping can be difficult at times.  It is not a bad idea to come with a back-up plan if the park campgrounds are full.  Here are the NPS Campground Details. Some people like to stay at the rural campground often referred to as "The Pit."  And lastly, there is a campground available at Joshua Tree Lake.

-- The Joshua Tree entrance fee is currently $15 per vehicle.  Your receipt will give you access to the park for seven days after its initial purchase.  Rangers check this receipt at each of the major access points going in and out.  Annual passes are available for $30.

ALPS:

-- Chamonix and Mont Blanc Regional Forecasts may be found here.

-- Webcams for Chamonix Valley, Zermatt and the Matterhorn.



ALASKA:


-- Conditions in the range are not currently available.  But we are taking reservations for both Alaska Range Ascents and Denali trips for the 2012 season.  To learn more, click here.  We will begin regular conditions reports in the Alaska Range in late April.