High Rock #266

With most of the snow rapidly melting in the mountains this year, I decided to go to High Rock about a month earlier than normal. The north approach roads, FS-84 and FS-8440, still have about one foot of snow on it above 3800 feet, which is about a mile from Towhead Gap. Towhead is completely melted out. The south road approach appears to be melted out. There were fresh bike track at the Gap which came up the south approach roads, FS-85 and FS-8440. If you try the south approach, I recommend a high clearance, 4WD vehicle, based upon my previous experience on this road last June..

The first mile of the trail is 95% snow free and in good condition; only one blow down on the trail. I had to turn around about half a mile from the top because of the steep hard snow. If I had brought an ice axe and crampons, I think the summit would have been possible. There were very old tracks in the snow, so someone has been up here this spring. Give this one a few more weeks before you try it. Also, the north road, at 4100 feet, has two large blow downs on the road which have to be remove after the melt out.