HikeArizona.COM

How much snow should I expect for Memorial Day on my baldy loop?

Others will undoubtedly know better. I'm seeing a whopping inch near the base @ [ Maverick Fork Snotel :: map ] , obviously deeper on the mountain.

I don't remember the weekend that I hiked that loop last year, but it was in the first part of June and it was still cold and a fair bit of snow in/around the summit. Not sure how 2019 and 2020's levels compare but you'll probably have have a little bit of post-holing on your trip.

It varies from year to year, but most years you'll find it to be 95% snow-free, with occasional deep drifts in shaded/north facing areas up high.
MD 2014: [ photo ]

I would call the ranger district and ask if they've done spring trail maintenance yet, because there tends to be quite a bit of deadfall to negotiate until they get out there with the saws, even if it's snow free.

chumley wrote:I would call the ranger district and ask if they've done spring trail maintenance yet, because there tends to be quite a bit of deadfall to negotiate until they get out there with the saws, even if it's snow free.

They usually don't start their trail maintenance until sometime in June, so I think that you could count on having to negotiate some deadfall this time of year.

@DixieFlyer
Well nobody is in the office this year, so maybe they're out on the trails creating more social distance between downed trees.

@markyarch
One of my favorite hikes in Az, perfect for a 2 day one night backpacking trip, I really forgot when i went but at night i dont recall it being to cold, by the other post now i know where to backpack when its hell here in PHX.

@joebartels
What are you using to find the snow depth?

@suzaz
Top of any page
Plan > Map > Options > USGS Gauges* > Tap a Snowflake
* Based on state at the center crosshair, AZ is the initial view

- Most of the default 7 day - Daily are showing up blank now, change to Water Year if blank
- Popup may be dragged to the desired position via drag icon in the upper-left corner, useful when checking several
- Popup may be resized via upper-right corner
- Toggle View** at the bottom by tapping... Air Temp | Accum Precip | Snow Depth | Snow Water Equiv
** Double tapping Snow Depth clarifies what most seek

@joebartels
Joe -- That is a nice feature, but I had a question: Is there any way to change the elevation for a "snowflake"? I was trying to see if there was still snow on the ground at Doyle Saddle, which is about 10,800'. The snowflake on the map is for "Snowslide Canyon - 9,730 feet". There is currently no snow at Snowslide Canyon, but I was wondering if there was a way to check at 10,800', or even another elevation in the SF Peaks.

Thanks

@DixieFlyer
Man it would be great to see Joe out there on the peaks (he loves snow) installing remote snow-depth recording stations all over the place just for the HAZ map!

The haz map takes such data from government sources. A site where you can find all of them is found here.
This is what one looks like in summer: [ photo ]
And under snow cover: [ photo ]

Without having been there this spring, history and some recent photos I've seen from the peaks would indicate both Fremont and Doyle saddles to be snow free. However drifts will exist between the two saddles along the Weatherford trail as well as the last section of the traverse crossing the upper bowl.

I am going this weekend... need a get away... this is the chosen spot for 1 night. Hopefully no one else has my fab idea

azlaurie wrote:Hopefully no one else has my fab idea

Well, they didn't until now. I hope it's as great as it sounds to me right now.

@big_load
weather looks crappy now... leaving in 40 mins... ugh!!! what to do what to do what to do

How was it?

I've been thinking of doing this in a day hike. Is there a time recommended to start or be off the top of the mountain for storms in this area?

@richvosko
I've seen storms building over Baldy by 9am. Typically Arizona forecasts for storms during the monsoon specify "especially after 11am". Keeping an eye on the forecast is key. Sometimes storm activity is higher or lower than others.

@richvosko
Ended up going throughtl the Sierra Anchas instead