HikeArizona.COM

The endless chatter of weather.

Looks like the snow level will drop down into the 8000s, which could mean snow in Hart Prairie, and 3-6 inches from the base of Snowbowl and higher. Could make for some interesting photos on the peaks since so many of the aspens are just reaching their peak. Of course rain, snow, and wind could also put a very abrupt end to any foliage out there as well.

Edit: Woohoo! Thread page #53!!

Anybody got the current scoop on the orange and reds in the Sierra Ancha's or a similar area/alt?

I'm surprise with how little rain we had out of this system. We had around a 3rd of an inch here. Still, it's supposed to be cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms until Sunday. I'm going to be busy this weekend, but I might try to get out Sunday for a hike. We'll see.

All right I went anyway. Took my sis up there since she missed last year with me. I know it's not the best timing, but her next two weekends are filled.
Reynolds Creek had it's isolated pockets. Knolls Hole Aspens are still green or just blown off to my disappointment. Best color was in the creek after the waterfall like last year until the approach on KH spring.
I'd say 2 weeks from now for the maples unless something big changes.

Workman Creek had nothing past yellowing green to the falls and last year this time it was the better find. If they hold, there's plenty of time left on them.
Some stowaways followed me home:

Does anyone know if Mount Baldy has much snow on it? I'm considering doing the Mount Baldy Loop on Thursday.

The Peaks had a thin line above 11,000', so I would think there won't be much on Baldy.

I feel like autumn is over, and the aspen color on the Peaks appears to be from town. It's just oaks and lower elevation stuff now. The wind has really picked up, too. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come, as the spring was horrendously windy around here and seemed to be that way from March to June. At least it has been pretty moist around here.

I think the title is going to have to be changed over to snow soon. There was a fair amount of fresh powder on the Peaks today and all of the leaves are off the trees up there. It looked and felt like winter. The wind was more or less calm, and the views were good, so it was pretty nice for being so cold.

Hiked Bear Jaw-Abineau this past Sat., and the leaves are all gone.

I imagine there is snow up there now, not much but still some. Enough with the leaves, how will the winter go?

Well the CPC is calling for above normal chances for below normal precip and above normal temperatures, so that means it'll be warm and dry, right?

I always think Arizona's winters are sort of hit-or-miss. A couple of weeks of active storms can tilt a few dry months into what looks ok on paper, but really isn't.

Of course, I'd be perfectly happy if FLG pulls in 150+ inches of snow. Some of the Snotel totals last year were impressive, and I don't expect there to be that kind of 4+ feet snowpack across the state again this year.

I was told recently that the old Navajo shepherds believe it will be another cold and snowy winter. So, let's see if they know what they are talking about.

Seems like someone said the Farmers Almanac said more precip than usual

joe bartels wrote:Seems like someone said the Farmers Almanac said more precip than usual

Doesn't the Farmers Almanac always say more precip than usual out of optimism?

I am not allowed to have an opinion on this topic, since my daughter spent a ton of money on a boarding pass! She says only positive remarks are allowed! LOTS and LOTS of snow! (Hope my roof doesn't cave in!)

@hippiepunkpirate no

Farmers Almanac last year predicted 120 inches for Cloudcroft... and, that is what they got... this year, they predict 240 inches! 20 feet would be close to a record up there... we'll see how that goes.

240 inches? Thats absurd. Beyond stupid, idiotic, ridiculous...I can go on. I don't buy that prediction. I still think we'll be less than the mean, but front loaded so as to not seem so dry during the core winter months.

Jim_H wrote:240 inches? Thats absurd. Beyond stupid, idiotic, ridiculous...I can go on. I don't by that prediction. I still think we'll be less than the mean, but front loaded so as to not seem so dry during the core winter months.

Ah, comeon... don't prevaricate. If you've got an opinion, speak up!

Mt. Baldy got 33 FEET last winter. Not all at once, but over the winter.