TW's active 4runner builders BS thread

yup!

 

Is that in Alamosa, or down here in NM? Doesn't look like much snow on the ground.

 

Alamosa. Probably about 4ish inches on the ground.

 

I'm surprised, I thought there would be more. Has it been windy?

Do you fish, btw?

 

We had about 6-8, it has been super cold lately. Most of it has sublimed or turned into ice. I am probably going to be "sick" tomorrow and hit up Wolf Creek, they have gotten over 183" this season. No wind, yet. Spring is going to blow though, unlike last year.

I do not anymore, I went 2 years without catching anything. I do want to try again this year, I think it would be a blast to camp and catch dinner!

 

Wolf Creek is awesome. If I lived up there I'd be hitting it all the time, but it's 4 hours from ABQ so we only get 4-6 days a year up there.

I was curious about the fishing because you're right in the thick of it up there... many options nearby.

One of these days I want to get on top of Blanca.

 

I have 3 days at wolf this season. Definitely my favorite place to go. Ski Santa Fe apparently has gotten some decent snow. If you go up to wolf let me know, tbuzz goes there from time to time too.

I get asked a lot of I fly fish and I can tell everyone is let down when I say no. Haha. Sooo many fish up here. I heard that the fish in terrace are edible now too...

I am am going to try to do blanca/ellingwood this fall. The bear situation up there freaks me out. I usually hike in the middle of the night with headphones on, and there's a bunch of black bears cruising around. Little Bear scares the crap out of me.

 

Santa Fe had more snow that WC last time I checked... they've been getting pounded. However, SF costs more and doesn't have the same kind of terrain as WC. Where we go depends mostly on whether we can swing an overnighter or not. Chris has been trying to link up for a WC trip, but he's a single man with single plans and I usually can't keep up with him.

I still would not eat a fish out of Terrace. Just one look at the river up by Summitville is enough to convince me. I really hope that drainage recovers though, as it would be nice to have another option nearby.

RE the bears, I wouldn't worry about them on the trail. I've come upon a few and they always split as soon as they hear/see you. I would only be concerned about them raiding your camp at night. As long as you cook away from where you sleep, wash up well, and hang a bear bag, it's no big deal. The Little Bear - Blanca traverse looks paralyzing.

 

We will have to see what happens in March. I would bet that wolf gets at least 100 inches in that month alone. It will be an interesting spring for me trying to get access to the national forest. I will bet there is a lot of flooding. Especially in the aroyos.

I might eat out of Rio Grande reservoir, but Definately not terrace. There is a 4wd road between Rio grand resi and Silverton I want to try. Not the alpine loop, haha. A lot of the people I know who live here go up to blue mesa, which isn't really a realistic option for you. 8ish hour drive...

I usually do 14ers in 1 shot. I may take a break or 2 on the way up. I like to start around 2am that way I see the sunrise on the summit. That has backfired, but on the long climbs it is so nice being off the mountain before the crowds.

 

I'll take flooding in March over bone dry forests in April. I've been up the road you're talking about (Stony Pass) from the Rio Grande side, but not all the way across. Chris has come in from the Silverton side, but not all the way across. We should all get together and run the whole thing. Blue Mesa is too big for me... no boat, no love on that lake.

RE Blanca camping, most people hike up to Lake Como the first day, camp, then do the summit the next morning. Unless you drive in to Lake Como I cannot see getting to the summit and back in day. Even driving to Como, it would likely be a 2 day affair with an overnight at Como, as that road takes 5-6 hours in a rig that's built to handle it.

 

Hey guys...

Wolf creek has had 283" this year vs Santa Fe at 167". Big difference there. Marriage status has nothing to do with my ability to create free time. It's just a lot easier to get there and do it when you're already here.
I am planning to hike Handies peak in mud to late July. Maybe that'll work out for you guys.

 

Total accumulation versus current measured depth...

Marriage status, maybe not. Kid status, definitely so.

 

SF currently 78", WC currently 82"....

 

Are you trying Jedi mind trick? What is total accumulation vs current measured depth..

 

Sam,,depending how late the poker donkeys play tonight we may go up to wolf creek also tomorrow. Have to be in Pagosa tomorrow evening anyway.

 

Very good point New Mexco has the worst forest fires. That would be sweet to meet up around that area. I want to do a loop with black bear, ophir and engineer.

I hiked como lake two years ago, with my 4runner I could make it to jaws 1 and park on that switch back. Probably take as long to drive it as to walk... lol I have no problems with a super long hike, my buddy and I did Decalibration, which is 12 miles and 4 peaks. I imagine it will be similar to that, haha.

Handies was my favorite 14er. There is some great camp sites east of the trailhead.

current measured depth is basically "base" Wolf creek has gotten 283" of snow but it has melted/compacted to 110" packed at the summit and 82" packed midway.

Everyone here bailed on me, apparently they have "work". I am for sure going on the 6th or 7th, 18-24 inches projected.

I have also been talked into a red river trip, so I will see how that goes. I am trying to go snowmobiling this weekend.

 

What Mr. O said. Just breaking it down to apples vs. apples on the snow depth front. Wet, heavy snow accumulates differently over time than powder. Various types of snowfall will result in different accumulated depths over the duration of a season.

Regardless, all that really matters on ski day is the composition of the top layer and whether or not the rocks/stumps/logs/etc. are showing through.

I'll be keeping an eye out for updates on your plans for both Handies and Blanca, Chris and Sam? (Mr. O).

 

Hell yeah! I will keep you informed about Blanca. Right now thinking late august, less thunderstorms! I personally can't wait for summer. The San Juans have so many cool areas I want to explore!

p.s. sam works, I am not really old enough to be a mister anyways... haha

 

Finally got the time to tear apart the interior