Mts. Hood/Rainier Snow this July?
 

Regarding Mt. Hood and Mt. Rainier is driving and hiking workable this July 4-13. Sources tell us 20 feet of snow won't melt by July 4. Comments or options.. please help, have hearts set on this beautiful area for July '08

I'm sure you could hike on lower elevations on Rainier and there would be great views. I'm just as sure Paradise will have lots of snow that week.

We went over July 4 during a normal year and there were still several feet of snow at Paradise. The roads and parking lot were clear, so you could still drive up and have a look. We went on a short hike in the snow to a waterfall, I think, with a ranger.

This is one of the snowiest years we've had.

Bring snowshoes?

The roads will be fine; they keep the road up to Paradise open all year, and in summer it is not icy even if there is still snow around. The current dates on the website for opening the roads going around the mountain are late May (all except the road up to Sunrise). So you will be able to drive anywhere.

As for the snow level and depth by July 4, who knows? I have experienced what Orcas describes in mid-June; in fact we took skis and climbing skins and had a great time in the snow. I've never gone for hiking in early July but always try to schedule a visit around July 20, when Paradise is usually carpeted in wildflowers.

But then some years large snow patches persist into August. This might well be one of those years.

It snowed at my house (north of Seattle) this morning, and I live less than 500 ft above sea level!

Went skiing at Crystal Mtn last weekend, in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, and it still feels like the dead of winter.

As noted above, driving will be OK, but you WILL be hiking on snow if you get to any higher elevation. Not necessarily a bad thing though, there are plenty of trails around Paradise that are just fine with snow.

Can you say 'Nikwax'?

You can always check the NPS live web cam "View From Paradise". Snowing as we speak.

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcam...am/moracam.cfm

Redrock,that is soooo gorgeous!! Thanks for the link. We will definitely be making a trip up to Paradise Lodge this June!!!! We had thought to go Mt St helens, but this web cam picture did it for me!!! Be still my heart :-).

If you can fit it in and the weather gives you a clear sky, try going to Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. Very different mountains.

There is one for Mt St Helens as well. If its not frozen and the weather cooperates.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

http://www.doi.gov/webcam.html

If at all possible visit both, they are not really that far apart.. I like the East side of Mt St Helens much better. You get to drive thru the area devastated when it popped its top. Take the hike down to Spirit Lake.

rm and red rock...I think we will try to do both :-). We will be leaving Portland around 9am and head back to Seatac to spend the night and we thought we would visit both,,,,how much time will it take us to do both...we have nothing planned in Seattle that day. I want to get my snow fix in!

You should first invest in a good map and keep in mind you are going to have a long day driving. How long will it take... as long as you make it... You may want to pack some snacks/lunch and a small cooler. Not much in that neck of the woods. From the Portland area take I5 to Woodland, SR503/FSR90 to FSR25 to FSR99. There is a small National Forest Service Visitors Center along the way if memory serves me... That will get you to the east side of Mt St Helens. You will have to backtrack on 99 to 25 and then go north to US12 and go east to Mt Rainier. Most of these roads are crooked mountain roads so leave as early as possible that morning, if at all possible you want to limit your dirving to daylight hours.

It snowed again today!!! About 3 inches on the hills in S. Bellevue near Seattle! This has to be a record. Expect snow for sure in early July on Mt. Rainier and lots of it.

redrock, thanks for the info, and I will get a good map. Orcas...that is soooo cool! I love snow, but my DH like it for about 2 days :-).