Emmons/Winthrop Glacier approach: May 24th, 2008
The road to White River is still not open due to the large amounts of snow removal required this year, and as a result the approach to east side routes has become very long. Parties should allow between 6 and 10 hours just getting to Glacier basin. (See road conditions for current information)
Although the Glacier Basin trail is still covered by multiple feet of snow in most places, this allows fairly easy travel with skis since most of the fallen trees and streams are still under the snowpack. Expect conditions to change quickly as the weather warms and the snow continues to melt. There have been a few parties hiking in but there is no real boot track to follow, so be prepared to do some route finding on the way in. There is some bright yellow flagging in some less obvious areas of the trail, but much of the route is unflagged.
The route up the Inter Glacier to Camp Schurman is very direct right now with only one visible crevasse. The skiing in this area is excellent and with the longer approach people could have a less crowded wilderness experience if they are willing to work a little harder.
Let's hope they get that road plowed between now and June 22nd. These pictures of road clearing efforts this Spring at Cayuse Pass (a few miles from our access road) will give you some idea of what they're up against.
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