Ice Lake & Lakes Basin

[AndersonR35909]

I am planning a week hiking and camping trip into Ice lake and Basin lakes area July 4th week. I can't find any infomation on current conditions, snow levels, etc. Where can I find that information or does anyone have any recent info they can share?

Thanks

[Tomlike]

Hey AndersonR

You ever find any additional info on conditions up there? I'm considering heading that way the week following July 4th. Still seems to be a bit of snow up there, although the Aneroid Lake Snotel (http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/maps/s ... 7d02s.html) reading is not working. However, temps are probably peaking in the 60's at the 7,000 ft. level, meaning rapid melting is occuring. I'd be interested in any info that you may have come accross...

[AndersonR35909]

My dad has been checking with the Forest Service and as of last week snow level was at about 6800 ft. Ice Lake is at 7900 ft. Like you said though weather has been nice and alot of melting going on. The trail crews were up all last week and had only made it to 6 mile meadow into the lakes basin area. I'm thinking we might just head up to Aneroid as it is somewhat less elevation. My dad is going to check with them again this week for a progress report and I will post it as soon as I hear.

[Tomlike]

Great thanks for the update. It sounds like Aneroid should be (mostly) melted out in another week or so. I'd be willing to put up with a little snow, but I have stashed the snowshoes away until next winter and don't even want to consider using them now. It seems highly unlikely that I'll be able to complete the loop up over Glacier Pass, but you never know. I'd be driving from Portland, and for as much good things as I've heard about the W. Fork Wallowa River and 6 mile meadow, I 'd want to get a little more elevation out of a long weekend. What are your options for day hikes around Aneroid? What do you think about 6 Mile Meadow to Frazier and Prospect Lakes (around 7,100ft)?

[AndersonR35909]

6 mile is a beautiful area and most of the basin lakes are easy day hikes problem is going to be the same as Ice Lake with the low snow level for this time of year. We also live in the Portland area, so we are headed over Friday this week and staying up in the mountains all week. Aneroid is a grat little lake not much for hikes out of there again due to snow it down in the gully with steep mountains on all sides other than the draw up the river.

If you go to 6 mile you might be ok up into Horse Shoe and the lower basin lakes. Again I hope to find out about the snow tomorrow and I'll make a post. The other problem you might run into is the trail itself sometimes gets washed out in the melt off and who knows how far the trail crews will make it.

Take care