Weekend Camping - Lost Creek Wilderness Conditions?

[Papablunt]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to put together a weekend camping trip for Apr 28th - May 1, but with the recent snowfall, I'm having a difficult time figuring out where to camp. Mud season... no worries, but we're really trying to stay away from much snow.

Does anyone know what Lost Creek looks like right now? Are there any other areas you might suggest for camping? Any help is appreciated.

[tylernettestad]

I am hoping we can get this thread going and get some frequent reports coming in. I'm still a few weeks out, but I am hoping to get out there on Memorial Day weekend on May 30th. I'm from South Dakota and this will be my first time out there. We are looking at doing the Wigwam trail starting at the Wigwam Trailhead. Would like to spend a couple nights in the backcountry. Thanks!

[gspup]

Guys just call the ranger district in that area, they will give you a good idea what conditions are like.

[randalmartin]

Memorial Weekend will be fine. Even in high snow years there will be plenty of areas to camp snow free in the LCW. You may cross some snow in parts of the trail (shaded, North facing or higher elevation) but nothing that would be problematic.

[tylernettestad]

Memorial Weekend will be fine. Even in high snow years there will be plenty of areas to camp snow free in the LCW. You may cross some snow in parts of the trail (shaded, North facing or higher elevation) but nothing that would be problematic.

Thank you!

[Turtle Boy]

This is just a bump. It would be great if someone has some boots on the ground beta.

The OP asked about the Wigwam Trail but Goose Creek is also of interest in particular the area between Hankins Pass and McCurdy Park. Info on either would help greatly.

Edit: Just saw the McCurdy Mountain thread. Folk interested in LC should check that thread as well.

[thurs]

Goose Creek is also of interest in particular the area between Hankins Pass and McCurdy Park. Info on either would help greatly.

Goose Creek is usually okay all the way into Refrigerator Gulch and down the lost creek. once you start ascending on the north-facing side of the hills up to McCurdy Park you will very likely start encountering extensive snow coverage. Hankins Pass is usually a big mess of snow, mud, and general dampness at this time as well.

[Turtle Boy]

Thurs - thanks. I kind of assumed so particularly looking at the McCurdy Peaks pics.

LC usually clears up before most of the other areas considered for later this summer like Rawah and Cherokee wildernesses but I'm asking even earlier about LC than previous years. It looks like Plan B for the first week of June unless the melt rate picks up.

[wildsidesky]

When do you think it will be possible to hike to the shaft house from the Goose Creek TH without flotation? I can't seem to find my LCW map and don't know where the shaft house is in comparison to McCurdy. I asked the ranger a few days ago and he suspected late May. Seems odd though - I seem to recall a hike to the shaft house in early May from about a decade back.

[NotTimid]

If helpful: I was in LCW on Payne Creek from Payne Creek-Brookside TH last Sunday 5/8 - heading up a north-facing slope. Small patches of snow starting around 9,200-9,500, then from 9,500 and above there were slushy drifts that covered the trail and were tedious but otherwise fine. Used my microspikes for a while, more out of impatience than necessity. Snowshoes unnecessary where I was. Zero snow once I came over the pass at 9,900 and was coming down the south-facing slope.

I know this is not quite the area folks are interested in but hope this is a little bit helpful! I was also thinking of Wigwam for this weekend...

[thurs]

When do you think it will be possible to hike to the shaft house from the Goose Creek TH without flotation? I can't seem to find my LCW map and don't know where the shaft house is in comparison to McCurdy. I asked the ranger a few days ago and he suspected late May. Seems odd though - I seem to recall a hike to the shaft house in early May from about a decade back.

It could very well be possible next weekend. Yeah, I have seen it melted out in mid-May the past few years.

[randalmartin]

When do you think it will be possible to hike to the shaft house from the Goose Creek TH without flotation? I can't seem to find my LCW map and don't know where the shaft house is in comparison to McCurdy. I asked the ranger a few days ago and he suspected late May. Seems odd though - I seem to recall a hike to the shaft house in early May from about a decade back.

Shaft House is about 6-7 miles or so north of the Goose Creek TH along the Goose Creek trail at an elevation of about 9,000 feet and so would likely be melted out except for shaded or north facing spots but probably not deep in those areas.