This past Sunday-Wednesday I skied in past Upper Holland Lake and Gordon Pass, down Gordon Creek, floated from the mouth of Gordon down to the Meadow Creek takeout, then walked and skied up Bunker Creek over Inspiration Pass and then down the South Fork of Lost Creek to the plowed (logging crews) road in the valley floor.
Above 5500′ there is plenty of snow on all aspects. Skiing down from Gordon Pass to the Shaw patrol cabin, for example, was good (even in the rain). Coverage all the way down the Gordon trail was better than expected, I hiked probably 3/4 of a mile total, and when there was snow there was 1-2 feet.
This was the lowest level at which I’ve floated the South Fork, probably ever, and certainly the lowest I’ve floated above Salmon Forks. I’d guess the Twin Creeks gauge would read ~300 cfs were it in operation. Monday afternoon I floated from Gordon to Salmon Forks in around five hours, had to get out to drag the boat half a dozen times, and ran aground many more. It worked, but is not really recommended. Lots of snow and shelf ice down at river level on all aspects which don’t get plenty of direct sun. I spooked a herd of ~100 elk right across from the mouth of the White River, at one point I was 50 yards upstream as they completely blocked the river.
Floating from Salmon Forks to the take out the next morning took five hours, with mostly constant paddling and one break. The Meadow Creek portage was 50/50 skiing and hiking. Lower Bunker is being logged after the fire this summer, so the road in has been plowed all the way from highway 2. 5 miles of road walking was not what I had planned, but as soon as the rivers go up access will be good this spring. The first few miles beyond the summer gate were thin, but the skiing beyond that was good. Descending into Lost Creek I had 4 inches of fresh dust on crust and what would have been quality leterrip tree skiing if not for the skinny skis and big pack. The road up to the summer TH in Lost Creek gets snowmachine traffic, and was packed fast snow most of the way down to the valley.
In short, snow in the high country is holding fast, but the lower and mid elevations are in a tenuous spot. Not as early a melt as last year, but could tip over quickly with a few warm days.
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