Cottonwood Meadows

Rob · 2010-06-18T17:01:13Z

I originally had intended to take a trip up Fish Creek today, however due to unforseen circumstances, that trip will have to be postponed until later. So, as an alternative, I thought I might take advantage of the "before the bug hatch" season to check out Cottonwood meadows. A few notes about the hike: There is still a LOT of snow up there! I was unable to drive to the trailhead due to too much snow on the road. I got a little past the shellrock creek trailhead, and had to trim some of the alders leaning over the road, but finally got stopped due to over a foot of snow on the road. I turned my truck around and hiked the rest of the way, which was about a mile and a half to the real trailhead. There are only patches of snow, but further up the road, it got almost 2' thick on the road, so it will be a little while before you can drive all the way up, and there will probably need to be more trimming of the trees next to the road, since they are increasingly taking over the road. Why didn't they continue the nice brushing after the Shellrock Creek trail? The road to that point is great, and then they stopped. Maybe a good project for the stimulus money? Once on the trail, the beginning of the trail was covered in a couple of feet of snow. I was able to find the trail fine and made it down a bit to where the trail was snow free. The trail was in pretty good condition, probably 10-12 downed trees. There is only one really bad spot, where a rotten tree fell right down the center of the trail, making a huge mess and covering the trail. I was disappointed that there was not more flowers. It doesn't appear this area has yet woken up from winter yet. There were a few small flowers blooming, and the bog plants were starting to come up, but haven't bloomed yet. I was hoping for a bunch of wildflowers. This place is WET, WET, WET. You can't walk thru the meadows since they are basically shallow lakes right now, and trying to walk around the side of the large meadow/lake the ground is just like a huge sponge. You step and you can hear the ground squish under your feet. All in all a good day, however not quite what I had expected. Also the hiking was rather tough. I forgot how difficult it is to hike on snow, even packed snow gives way quite a bit. It seems as though any road at 4000' or higher may still have snow on it, especially on shaded or south facing areas. I can't believe it is the middle of June.....

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Posts: 281

Doug Firman

Jun 22, 2010 4:39 am

Member

Joined: 16 years ago

I was not able to make it as far as High Rock campground. Ran into a foot or two of snow on the road just past the quarry or gravel stockpile or whatever it is.

Posts: 316

Robert Koscik

Jun 22, 2010 10:40 pm

Member

Joined: 16 years ago

Thanks Doug!

Man what a season...never seen anything like it.

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Cottonwood Meadows

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