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John Brown
(johnbrown2005) - F - M

Locale: Portland, OR
 		How early Olympic Peninsula? on 02/23/2010 17:14:58 MST Print View

Any predictions on when the Olympic Peninsula high country will open up this year? Is May too soon? If I remember right, intense bugs follow?
pack nwcurt
(curtpeterson) - M

Locale: Pacific Northwest
Olympics on 02/24/2010 06:26:27 MST Print View

Yes, May is likely too soon for anything that would be considered high country. The snowpack has not been as thin there as it has in the Cascades. ONP keeps pretty good trail conditions data on their website. That's the best place to start.

A lot will depend on the spring we have, but it's a very rare year that May will get you much over 3000' or 4000'.
Ross P Hemphill
(rbimli) - F

Locale: PNW
 		open/closed? on 03/08/2010 23:55:52 MST Print View

Does the high country being "closed" mean that you're not allowed to go there, or that it would require technical skills/gear? Also, when people talk about Olympic Peninsula backcountry or high country, are they likely talking about the Park, the Forest/Park... the Peninsula?

Gracias.
John Brown
(johnbrown2005) - F - M

Locale: Portland, OR
 		Olympic Peninsula Seasons on 03/09/2010 00:07:23 MST Print View

By closed I just meant snowed in still. My trip is now 2nd week of July, should be looking good by then, eh?
Ross P Hemphill
(rbimli) - F

Locale: PNW
 		thanks on 03/23/2010 14:30:15 MDT Print View

Thanks for the explanation.