Ice Lakes conditions?

[dr_j]

Hopefully this is the right forum for this Planning on going this weekend, what's the status of the trail with regards to snow? Are the wildflowers blooming yet?

[SnowAlien]

The last update I saw was this one:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/peakstatu ... ecnum=3230" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Curious in more recent update as well since I am heading that way myself early next week.

[TravelingMatt]

Wasn't there specifically, but just got back from three days in the San Juans. There is still a lot of snow up high in places it typically collects (basins, ravines etc). It seemed the further west you were, the more snow there was. The La Garita area (east of 149) has mostly dried out. Expect dampness/runoff in flatter areas.

Wildflower season is underway, but it's mostly the smaller flowers for now. The columbines are just budding.

[SnowAlien]

Thanks Matt. I was specifically looking for Vermillion and Niagara/Jones group. Probably would still be wise to take ice ax/crampons, but if that's the case, I'd rather bring skis

[TravelingMatt]

An ax is probably overkill unless you're doing scrambly stuff, but crampons are not a bad idea.

[GeorgiaTyler]

I would ALWAYS take an axe, still a bunch of snow up that way

[Chicago Transplant]

I would bring the axe, when I did the route July 21 2007 the entire slope up to the Fuller Vermilion saddle was snow and I was glad to have it. It holds snow pretty late into the year.

If its in, you should ski Vermilion Dollar Couloir