advice on Bob Marshall seasons

[Bill Segraves]

Thanks in advance to Bob Marshall veterans for advice on what can be expected wrt snow and river crossings in a typical snow year. When can one normally plan get into central part of the wilderness, get over passes without ice and snow gear, and cross White, Spotted Bear et al.?

Much appreciated!

Best,

Bill S.

[David Chenault]

Last week of June/first week of July is a safe bet in a "typical" year, though stream crossings will still be a bit big. Big difference between passes like Spotted Bear, which is lowish, gentle and faces south, and White River, which is quite steep and E/W. White is probably the last trailed pass on the Continental Divide to melt out.

Late summer is a better bet across the board, unless you're packrafting. The weather is more reliable, streams are lower, fishing is good, bugs are gone, and so forth.

[Bill Segraves]

Thanks, Dave. Wrt White River Pass, are we talking slow and difficult, or potentially impassable without gear and mountaineering skills? If potentially the latter, are there alternative routes between the Sun River drainage and White River drainage?

Thanks again!

Best,

Bill S.

[David Chenault]

The east side of White River is rather steep. It probably goes through a crampons needed phase.

Larch Hill pass is a bit of a detour, but is quite gentle.

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