Would love to see some pics or get a conditions update if anyone is planning on heading up the North Fork this weekend.

The backcountry ski/board trip reports forum on the message board at www. the BackCountry.net has some great photos of current conditions at the South Fork of Big Pine Creek .

There's currently a mostly dry trail until the creek crossing at the trail fork for Black Lake. It's mostly snow from there although it is melting quickly. I was surprised to not pass anybody on the trail in there. Here are a few photos. The rest are here: Palisades May 14-17, 2010


The South Fork last weekend


Temple Crag from Second Lake


Mt. Sill, Polemonium Peak, U Notch, N Palisade, Clyde Couloir, Startlight Pk


Underhill Couloir and Thunderbolt Peak

I'm headed up this way the first weekend of June. I'd love to see reports from the Memorial weekend crowd.

I went up N. Fork on Sat. 22nd.. clear no snow until 1/4 mile beyond Chaney Cabin. Then some small patches up to the first lake..beyond that pretty much solid snow

dustytrail what did you climb?

Went back yesterday and climbed Temple Crag. The trail is clear to the Third Lake with just a few small patches of snow. The First and Third lakes are clear..the Second lake is mostly frozen, but should be clear shortly.

Mostly a snow climb from the First Lake to Contact Pass - SE Face

If anyone goes in the near future take a pencil for the register..there was a pen but it was out of ink

We're heading up at the end of next week, so if anyone goes up the North Fork this weekend and happens to take note of conditions, that'd be great. If you happen to notice the condition of the Sill North Couloir L-shaped snowfield and crux section and/or the U-notch, that'd be even better!

Going July 4th. Interested also.

We're actually heading up *this* Thurs, so still looking for beta : ] Might see you up there!

I was up there June 4-6 to climb N. Pal. The trail was mostly snow free up to Third Lake. We crossed a large snow bridge (200’ long) at the mouth Third Lake and climbed the couloir behind Temple Crag. By the time we descended the snow bridge was 50% gone and what was left was 80% collapsed. I sure it’s gone now.

Travel on the glacier and the U-notch couloir was a little soft but not too bad. The U-notch firmed-up near the top, but I was still comfortable climbing without rope. Snow bridges over the bergshrund are thin. My partner postholed through (didn’t fall in) but I got a report of another climber (roped) falling in.

I’ll be back up July 4 to attempt Starlight

@hyadventure: thanks!