Hyalite Road Conditions

We hiked up to Cleo's on Sunday morning. It's still big, and when we got there at 7:30 it looked good but fifteen minutes later it came into the sun and quickly turned to vertical mushy snow. We only climbed the first pitch and rapped off. We went down the valley where it was still cold and shady and climbed thin chance, which was in great shape. Look for east or northeast facing shaded climbs!
We parked near the cabin, fearing the snow would get too soft at the trailhead but when we hiked out at 11:30 it would have still been fine to drive.

We had no problems getting to the parking lot on Friday, however things did get soft in the evening on the drive out. As mentioned above becareful near Window Rock cabin. We climbed Fat Chance, Feeding the Cat and The Septre. Overall the ice was soft but fun to climb, however good protection was difficult to find. Of the climbs we did the Septre had the best conditions with better ice and decent screw placements.

I drove in on saturday @ about 7am and it was easy! a suby with chains could make it for sure. we came out at about 2 and it was really soft. be careful around window rock because its really slick( potential to slip off road). We climbed Cleo's and the Ice was very soft and wet (Snow cone). G2, hangover, upper green sleeves all looked fat from the parking lot. the septer and mummy 2 still look great as well. dribbles looked like it had been getting alot of sun and might not be there for long. Twin is still huge. Have Fun!

Cheers,

Colter

How is the road to the reservoir, would a subi with chains be doable?

I went climbing Monday and Wednesday, driving the snowmobile from the reservoir both days, several dirt patches to cross from there. It doesn't look good for car driving yet...
Scepter and MII were still in decent conditions, same with Fat chance.
JV

I drove up last tuesday to the dam. I was the only one. There was rut with the center being bullet proof but that must have melted out by now. Climbs looked white from the road. I snowmoblied from the dam.

Anyone been up the road lately?

Beyond the G1 toprope anchor trail, the path up thru the woods to G2 was very slick under 6" of new snow. Once in the drainage below G2 (crossing the creek after coming out of the woods), the snow was deep and unconsolidated. Major sweatfest getting from G1 to G2. We expected more of the same if we'd continued on to Hangover.

The ice at G2 was in good condition - much better than G1, which is really beat out.

Why was it too much work? Too much snow or too icey? And you only saw one car in the lot? We snowmobled up this past weekend. I think the road is passable since the snowmobliers have really packed it down. but it has to stay cold in order to be passable. The main pain will be crossing the dam which was full of wind blown snow. But i saw car ruts crossed over on my way out on sunday and they were not deep like last years ruts.

How was the ice conditions on G2?

Road was pretty sketchy today, from what we saw, but it looked like one vehicle made it up to Grotto Falls. We took a sled from fishing access to Window Rock, then walked (I'll never do THAT again!). Lots of work getting up to G2 (we were headed for Hangover, but decided it was too much effort).

Road is great as of Sunday, 2/18. -J

Did anyone get up to the Grotto Falls parking lot today? If so, how was the road?

Sorry, no pics... the camera was riding 2' of pow at Moonlight that day...

Nick its Bryan from the base camp. Are you going to show us any sickter gnar gnar photos of you on come and get it.

Went into Hyalite on Tuesday to climb "Come and Get It". My friend's Toyota pickup with chains was getting occasional face-shots while making fresh tracks up the road to the trailhead. We got stuck once on the way out, forcing us to do a few minutes of shoveling and pushing.

I think that most good 4WD's with reasonably high clearance could make it to the reservoir. After that, a snowmobile, chains, or skis are probably necessary for reaching the trailhead. Regardless, the current weather system of cold temps and snow following the previous thaw is great for the ice conditions. And since the cold smoke that we hiked through to our route has since inspired my partners to strap on their skis, PM me if you have a burly vehicle and want to take me climbing...

Nick

Hello- anyone driven up Hylite today? conditions? would a SUV type vehicle make it, or not recommended? thanks. c

I am not so sure that we should be grading the road on the YDS, it seems far more appropriate to use the UK system...moderatre----Extremely Severe 10

Thats my two cents for free.

Bryan

The differnce between Dougs rating of 5.10+ R and your more recent rating of 5.9 underscores that road conditions are variable, and can go from very bad (in warm temps) to much better in cold temps. And that change can happen quickly, like between early morning and late afternoon.

Thanks for the update, Ryan, its good to see that the road had improved (as of last Wednesday). Has anybody been there recently? I suspect it is another grade harder after last night's snow.

Drove to the Grotta Falls trailhead yesterday, Wednesday the 7th, with my relatively low clearance Subaru Outback. The ruts weren't too bad, and the only true crux came at the dam, where deeper snow turned the drive into a bit of a rodeo...saw lots of evidence of cars getting sucked off the road past the dam, so be warned- stay in the tracks and you should be fine. Kind of bumpy here and there from snowmobile traffic, but what would a trip to Hyalite be without any sort of excitement like that?

Oh, and I would call the driving more like 5.9 with shitty protection- 10+ R seems like a bit of a sandbag... :wink:

Lots of cars have gotten stuck in the last 4 days up Hyalite. Icy conditions, tricky driving and an snowmobile-truck collision has given the Forest Service serious concern. It was bad enough that they were entertaining a temporary closure to wheeled vehicles, but decided to wait and see what the weather did. Colder temperatures and snow in the forecast will only improve the road.

The take home message is this: If you go up Hyalite be prepared for icy, squirrely, 5.10+ R, driving. Stuck vehicles, fender benders and injuries give the Forest Service heartburn.

Parked at Blackmore Saturday, and hiked across the reservoir. When I go to the road again, S of the lake, I encountered a couple of stuck trucks. Then, just past the Window Rock cabin turn-off, came on another one. With a bit of digging, they got that one out. When I came back down to the Grotto Falls parking lot, there were 2 trucks that had made it (the LandCruiser apparently without chains).

With the current meltdown, it seems like it will be easy to auger in to soft snow. If you drive up, definitely get the chains on.

On Monday , the road was doable for Suby clearance and higher 4WD, but meeting an oncoming vehicle would be a big problem past the Dam. There may be 1 or 2 spots to go around somebody. It was also very slow because it rides like a snowmobile trail, with regular woopties. 5-10 mph.

Dribbles was in fine condition (WI3+ ?).

Erik

We drove to the main trailhead this morning (in a Toyota pickup). Even with the fresh snow the ruts are not too deep, thanks to snowmobiles riding up the middle. However, the road is quite bumpy past the reservoir (snowmobile whoopdydoos). And finally, because of the new snow, the road past the dam is really single lane with very soft shoulders; encountering vehicles could be tricky.

Just an FYI, the road is in excellent shape for this time of year, careful drivers should have no problems (except for passing of course) saw a couple of subies at the grotto parking lot.

Ok well whatever the case..thanks to whoever helped me push my truck out of the parking lot! :D

i was just messing around ty! but be safe driving up hyalite right now. the road is pretty sketchy

Leaving the parking lot I did get stuck momentarily yes. If you were the one of the many who helped push me out thanks again! What happens when you let your guard down for a second on that road and try to take a bite of a cliff bar. :oops: :lol: :lol:

hey ty, didn't you get stuck getting out today. i believe i was pushing your truck. just messing around lots of snow as of 430, it was a little slick but the road was passable. but if it keeps snowing, it could get pretty tricky in a toyota truck. i'm praying for snow but the road is going to be tough. good luck.

We drove up to the Flanders trailhead on Sunday (Jan. 7). On the East fork the ruts are not terribly deep but the surface is quite soft. I wouldn't venture up there without at least a shovel and a few buddies.

We climbed Narcolepsy and it's still in good shape. Snowshoes were useful but you may be able to get away witout them.

Alex