Current conditions on Pawnee and Buchanan Pass?

[cat_bacon]

I'm thinking about doing the double by-pass loop (Pawnee Pass and Buchanan Pass) this weekend. Has anyone been up there recently or know about the conditions in the area?

[tornado]

Ran it last weekend. The top of Buchanan on the east side isn't fully melted yet so I had to do a bit of improvised scrambling to get up top since the last bit of ascent seemed sketchy without extra foot traction. Other than that, it's good to go with just a few other easily done snowfield crossings. What an amazing scenic loop.

[Dave B]

^^^I'll also add that there is a lot of water on the trail with several long sections bearing a closer resemblance to a creek than a trail. There is an especially wet section just past the Buchanan Pass- Beaver Creek trail junction. East ridge of Sawtooth -> north slopes -> Buchanan Pass would make for a scenic and snow free alternative - but we were hiking, not sure how well that would work as a run.

[Clbeals]

I too am planning on doing it this weekend. Each ranger office gave conflicting answers. The Boulder office said "crampons and an ice axe for self arrest would be needed" which seemed a bit crazy. So would I be good to go with my waterproof hikers and poles?

[tornado]

If you're planning on staying on trail proper, then yes, normal traction won't do IMO. But just on this short section. The image below shows the top of the pass with the trail going up the right side. I went up the rock outcrop in the center of the image to avoid the steep slick slope...didn't seem worth the risk, but I'm also not as experienced as others so I proceeded with a lot of caution.

[cat_bacon]

Is that the only part that required improvisation and was it relatively easy to find an off-trail route and then make it back to the trail?

[tornado]

Correct: there are a few other snowfields to cross but they shouldn't pose any real difficulty as they're well trenched. That section was the only one that made me think twice. But like Dave B said, be prepared to have your feet wet for several hours.

[cat_bacon]

No worries then! A few extra pairs of socks and I imagine we'll be good to go. Thanks for the info, guys.

The photos looked great, btw!