James Peak - snow condition

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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Liquid Shadow
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James Peak - snow condition

Post by Liquid Shadow »

Just wondering if anybody's been up James Peak lately. Is there continuous snow all the way to the summit? Looking to ski it later this week.
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AndyJB444
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Re: James Peak - snow condition

Post by AndyJB444 »

I haven't been on it, but I did take a good look at the upper slopes driving to Loveland yesterday.... :twisted:

Looked like it was in typical mid-winter condition with its usual windblown/bare sections in the usual spots, which means you'll likely encounter one or two thinner/rockier sections about 500 feet from the summit. No idea about Jamaica Flats...
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matt_foco
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Re: James Peak - snow condition

Post by matt_foco »

I was going to post the exact same thing. I am looking to do Jamespeak this saturday as well.
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justiner
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Re: James Peak - snow condition

Post by justiner »

Windy. It's gonna be windy.
pbakwin
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Re: James Peak - snow condition

Post by pbakwin »

We were just below the Boulderfield on Longs today (let's say 12,500') and the wind stopped us in our tracks. You could not stand up, much less take a step forward. Wind forecast for the weekend is stronger than for today. Niwot Ridge weather station (11,500') was showing 1-hr-avg wind speeds of 48mph this morning. At 12,500 the gusts were certainly in excess of 70mph.
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crazymarmot
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Re: James Peak - snow condition

Post by crazymarmot »

If it helps, I was on the summit last week of December, and there was continuous snow to the summit, but you still might take your skis off for the last 100 ft or so due to larger rocks sticking out (or use careful navigation). Jamaican flats had plenty of snow, I doubt any of it has melted to the point of bare ground. The only change that might have happened since then are strong winds, so you might have a lot of "wind shaped snow". Of course these are conditions from St Mary's Ann Glacier.

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