I just returned from a quick overnight hike to Benson Lake in the Mount Washington wilderness (see hike #46). As of July 15 2011, the snowline is at about ~5000 feet, but the melt is very uneven. Many south-facing slopes are snowfree, especially above tree line. The bald southern face of Scott Mountain (6100′) is entirely melted. Black Crater (7251′) and Belknap Crater (6872′) appear to have snowfree hiking routes above treeline, but I suspect their approach hikes are snowbound. North facing slopes and deeply shaded forest areas have four-foot drifts all the way down to Highway 242 (at about 5000′).
The Benson Lake trailhead (-5000′) remains unreachable by car. Instead, I parked about 1/2 mile down Scott Road. I found the trail to Benson Lake (5200′) about 80% snowbound, but I was able to follow good boot prints from early-season day-hikers. Benson lake basin was mostly snow-free; I found a dry campspot with a view and built a fire. Silent lightning flashed for hours in the southern sky , and later, rain clouds consumed me, Benson Lake, and the entire wilderness.
Check-out more photos on Flickr.
Tags: backpacking, camping, mountains, Oregon, outdoors, snow, trekking, wilderness
July 17, 2011 at 2:45 pm |
Thanks for the report. I was considering taking my kid up there this Wednesday (the 20th). Do you think the snow makes it prohibitive for a youngster?
July 17, 2011 at 2:51 pm |
@Christopher – of course it depends on your kid. If they don’t mind wet feet and a mini-adventure, I bet its fine. The trail to Benson Lake is only about 1.5 miles one-way with minimal climbing.
July 17, 2011 at 2:55 pm |
Thanks for the quick reply. So long as it’s navigable, i think she’ll do fine with some extra footwear. We’re deciding between this hike and Linton Lake. We have 3 days and 2 nights so we’re looking for someplace to do a day-hike or two on day two. Thanks again!
July 17, 2011 at 2:56 pm |
I should say “someplace to do a dayhike or two [i]from[/i] on day two”.
July 18, 2011 at 11:47 am |
@Christopher – I bet Linton Lake is totally snow-free, if that matters.