Sno-park snow depths:
Virginia Meissner: 2-3 feet
Wanoga: 2-3 feet (rough, bumpy, no grooming going on at this point)
Swampy Lakes: 3-4 feet of snow
Edison Butte: 2-3 feet (adequate at the higher elevations for snowshoeing and skiing; snowmobiles are advised of low-snow hazards)
Dutchman Flat: 4-5 feet — potential for low-snow hazards (rocks, logs stumps)
Accessibility notes:
*Grooming is being done at Wanoga, Virginia Meissner, Upper Three Creek Lake sno-parks.
* The Pole Creek Fire caused a fairly extensive closure for public safety, which continues through the winter because of potential hazards from falling trees. That closure includes much of the nordic system out of Upper Three Creek, as well as the snowmobile trails leading out of the sno-park to the west and north, which includes the trails to the McKenzie and Santiam passes. The Three Creek Nordic Trail that goes out to the Jeff View shelter is open.
* Expecting fairly high use over the next couple of weeks, with locals and non-locals alike. Sno-parks can fill up on the weekend. Parking may be limited.
Safety notes:
* We should have some pretty good opportunities for snow play activity. We always recommend that people wear helmets for sledding and tubing. Be sure to read through the rules of the slope.
* Low-snow hazards abound on mid- and low-elevation trails. Without a firm base of snow, new snow can create fluffy conditions that obscure but do not fully cover rocks, logs, stumps, etc.
* More snowfall is expected over the weekend. Getting around can be challenging on skis, snowshoes and snowmobiles when visibility is obscured by heavy snowfall and/or signs covered in snow.
* Avalanche danger: The instability of the snowpack can increase during a heavy snowfall period. Do an avalanche assessment before jumping into avalanche terrain. Avoid a slope if there’s any doubt or if the assessment says it’s not a good day to ride.
