I was wondering what it is like right now on elfin lakes hike? Is it a nice snowshoe destination yet or is it too early??

Thanks
Noman

It was excellent today, lots of snowshoers, skiers, and postholers like me out today...

Theres about 2 feet from Red Heather up (didn't go all the way to Elfin though).

I was up there yesterday too. Snow from parking lot all the way up. I was skiing yesterday but would have been great on snow shoes too. Got to within about 1km of Elfin lakes and turned back because my boots were turning my feet into ground beef. Gonna need a couple more days to build up some calluses.

I was up there on Saturday. Lots of fresh snow, it was awesome. We broke trail all the way to the cabin.

Thanks everyone for the update. One other question- are the roads to the trail ok for a 2 wd. or is chains neccesary?

Of course this can change quickyly so hopefully i will get my chain soon -- already have winter tires.

You're right, it depends on the day. Last Saturday morning most 2wd vehicles were not making it to the parking lot.

Here's a pano of Diamond Head from last weekend,

Thanks

That pic is really cool. Hope to get out there soon.

Noman

I was up there today. No snow at the parking lot.

what condition is the snow in at Red heather? Elfin Lakes? I'm assumming its dripping away - Even whistler with all its snowmaking (and more elevation) is reporting a depleting base depth... so sad.

I am planning on heading up on Tues 16th. Has anyone been up recently? How is the road, is a sheet of ice yet?

Cheers,

Willy Nelson

I was up there on friday overnight. We got so much snow over night that we had to break trail ourselves.

on the way up, it too 80mins from parkinglot to Red Heather + 2hrs from RH to Elfin (fully loaded with tent and boarding gear)
Saturday, we left the Elfin Cabin at 1045am, and got to RH at 3pm.
We would've been in trouble if the other group hadn't caught up to us. Then they took over (on skis) which really helped. But even with that trail being cut for us, i was still sinking to my knees, and i even had my tails added to my MSR shoes.

You're welcome to those 2 other groups that were heading to Elfin from Red Heather at 3pm. Foggy and getting dark. They would've been in trouble.