May Long Weekend

May long weekend iin the Park usually seems like a time for strong winds, rain, sleet, and lots of cold campers celebrating their misery with lots of beer and steaks. I am sure this weekend won't be any different. For those that are coming down, I thought I would post some quick updates.

As usual the Thirsty Bear is going to be packed all weekend. Usually Saturday is quite rocking. Enjoy the smoke, cinge those lungs, free those cellular radicals and boogie down with all those underage high school students. Don't forget to aske them about "Mr. Goble".

The rivers in the area are up and at perfect flows. There should be a crew of kayakers out on uppper Cameron and Blakiston Sunday afternoon. Canoeing on Cameron Lake may prove to be a bit windy. The peddle boats are gone from there. Apparently parks figured they were getting stuck in the lake too often, and got rid of them for the contract last year.

Hiking trails are in surprisingly good shape. The snow level starts higher than it normally does. Of course the park has up to date trail info. For hikes this weekend, Crandell lake should be fine, Bertha falls will be clear while the lake should have a bit of snow to cross getting up there. Lower Rowe will most likely have a bit of snow right near the lake, but would be my bet for a nice hike. The hike across the prairie to horseshoe canyon should be really nice. Wall lake ay be doable, but will involve a fair bit of snow to plow through. There won't be much if any up to the border though.

For scrambles, Galwey looks almost completely clear of snow. The hike up the ridgeline of Bellevue would be another nice one. There is still a bit of snow at the top of Crandell. Sofa will involve a bit of snow to gain the ridge, so may be better for another day. The front ranges by Drywood are clearing up nicely. Perhaps another keen party could try the east ridge of yarrow (south east butress of Spread Eagle). The potential snow route on the south east face of Anderson looks connected. Just hope the sun doesn't come out and start a spring slide.

For rock climbing, the Hump looks to be in great shape. Expert's choice may be a bit wet for the starting routes. Split Cleavage should be drier, but with the wind from the falls, things do tend to get a bit wet. The Slab above the Warden Compound still looks moist. The arete's to the left look fine though. The information bureau may have a few wet spots along the top jugs, however the only thing to really worry about would be the ticks in the area. Of course with the weather warming up, Montana may not be a bad option.