Longs Loft Route Conditions

[Valesia]

I cannot find a TR for the loft route from the last week. I know there is still a snow patch before the lake but what about the exit ramp into the loft? Has anyone been up or down this route in the last week? We would like to do it this weekend however we are worried about the exit ramp area >.<. If anything we will be going up Meeker ridge.

Thanks

[justiner]

I'd wager it's pretty bare. You can get a good idea on the approach. A contingency plan would be to take the iron gates up to meeker.

[HikerDan75]

I'm headed up the same way this weekend and per your suggestion will weigh the options on the climb. I'm not familiar with the Iron gates though. Would you be able to direct me to a site I could learn more about this route?

[justiner]

There's a ton of trip reports, here:

http://www.13ers.com/peaks/peak.php?peakkey=280" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's route beta - go up the big huge gully!

http://www.summitpost.org/iron-gates/161780" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Photo from a trip report:

68_2011072216342714.jpg (118.29 KiB) Viewed 276 times

My guess though, is that Loft route will be fine - the ledges may have some ice from recent rain - it is supposed to be below freezing some nights, this week.

I'll actually be going up The Iron Gates on Saturday, I believe,

[HikerDan75]

Thank you! I appreciate your help and direction. See you Saturday maybe.

[justiner]

No problemo, the best of luck.

[sjellison2]

Came down that way last weekend. No snow until where the "ramp" meets the main "gully". Glissaded about 200ft from the ramp to the end of the snow. You could probably avoid the snow entirely with a little 3rd/4th class scrambling or just kick steps or use microspikes.

Enjoy.

[Valesia]

Came down that way last weekend. No snow until where the "ramp" meets the main "gully". Glissaded about 200ft from the ramp to the end of the snow. You could probably avoid the snow entirely with a little 3rd/4th class scrambling or just kick steps or use microspikes.

Enjoy.

So on the climb up the "ramp" its clear enough... Good to know. From the approach it looks pretty covered and it would be a shame to get all the way up then have to turn around and do the gates haha