Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: andersonjk4 on October 22, 2019, 01:06:50 PM

Title: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: andersonjk4 on October 22, 2019, 01:06:50 PM: Specifically up the 42, 43, 44 roads? Anyone been up there? I'm wondering if its going to be a repeat of the skating rink that was opening weekend of 2012.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: dvolmer on October 22, 2019, 01:34:54 PM: I have a Dayton Big Bull tag and tried to hunt yesterday up off of Skyline. I was able to get to Edmonds springs ok but you couldn't get an inch off of the road without getting stuck in 12-14 inches of super wet and slushy snow. It was melting slowly. Today I see that it is blowing pretty good up on top 25-35 mph and super warm. 65 degrees in Dayton I believe. Probably 55-60 up on top???? should be melting like crazy. Big question is if the wind is drying it out or will it all be a soupy mess of mud and muck! I'm going up in the morning to hunt and will let you know what I find. There was a guy that came out on chains from skyline with a huge 7x8 bull in the bed of his truck yesterday. I talked to him and he had a Tucannon big bull tag and was able to make it work.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: Timberdog on October 22, 2019, 03:25:15 PM: Was he in a silver dodge crew cab?
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: dvolmer on October 22, 2019, 03:58:35 PM: Quote from: Timberdog on October 22, 2019, 03:25:15 PM
Was he in a silver dodge crew cab?
They were in three rigs and they said they were from Walla Walla. He had a crew with him.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: Timberdog on October 22, 2019, 05:01:24 PM: Not the guy I'm thinking of
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: jackelope on October 22, 2019, 05:35:35 PM: From personal experience in the snow trying to hunt in the Blues, bring a chainsaw and tire chains for all 4 wheels. Even if you’re lifted and running 35’s and think you can go anywhere. Bring chains. And a saw.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: Timberstalker on October 22, 2019, 05:59:43 PM: 16” shown on Snotel on the east side, Spruce Springs.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: meatwhack on October 22, 2019, 08:36:13 PM: Take a Toyota and you won’t need chains.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: dvolmer on October 23, 2019, 10:31:55 AM: Up on page ridge now by Edmonds springs. Roads are fine. At least skyline is. Massive snow melt yesterday.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: Mr Mykiss on October 24, 2019, 05:33:51 AM: It’s a friggin cakewalk. BIG puddles but other than that it’s easy peasy.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: andersonjk4 on October 24, 2019, 06:17:12 AM: Thanks for the info. I figured the warmer temps this week would clear out the roads, but you know what they say about assumptions.

My BIL totaled his camp trailer in 2012 on the way into the mountains. He made it halfway up a hill before loosing traction and spinning out. At that point he didn’t have any control of the trailer as he started sliding back down the hill. The back of the trailer went straight into a tree.

This experience has me a little more cautious on getting my own trailer into the woods.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: MHWASH on October 24, 2019, 06:57:37 PM: The report I got this afternoon said no snow left at Clearwater tower.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: andersonjk4 on October 25, 2019, 06:01:45 AM: Quote from: MHWASH on October 24, 2019, 06:57:37 PM
The report I got this afternoon said no snow left at Clearwater tower.

Perfect. Thanks Matt.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: Shawn Ryan on October 29, 2019, 03:32:55 PM: Any updates?
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Snow/Road Conditions for Modern Elk Opener
Post by: MHWASH on October 29, 2019, 07:19:33 PM: We got 3” last night. So 3” total at Clearwater tower. 8ish near Cougar ridge.