Stinson Mountain

Trail: Stinson Mountain Trail, snowmobile trail

Conditions: Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“Hiking trail is packed out for ski/snowshoe use, but not enough for Microspiking (unless you're a postholer, as evidenced by the pockmarks and postholes). There was already a good base before the storm, so there's a lot of snow up here. A Microspiker had a tough time on the snowmobile corridor portions, as it's sugar snow there. Off trail, it's still good powder (as observed by ski tracks). If you insist on "winter hiking" this mountain in Microspikes, please use the snowmobile corridor (you can get it from the trailhead), as the groomer/snowmobiles will repair your carnage (unlike on the hiking trail). Cloudy afternoon with snow flurries and temperatures in the lower 20s at the trailhead.”

Trail: Stinson Mountain Trail, snowmobile trails

Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Postholes

“The January thaw is already in the rear view mirror here, thanks in part to the high base elevation. Already around 1 to 4 inches of powder from yesterday and this morning, with light snow continuing. Snowmobile corridors look like they were groomed prior to this morning's snow. Someone Microspiked yesterday, leaving a bunch of postholes on the upper portion of the hiking trail. I did my best to repair the damage, but it looks like another couple of Microspikers were heading up as I was descending the snowmobile trail. There is a foot of snowpack and growing, so this is not the place to go with Microspikes at this point (unless you stick to the snowmobile trail the whole way, even then you'll be spinning your tires needlessly). Light snowy morning with temperatures in the 20s.”

Trail: Stinson Mountain Trail, snowmobile trail

Conditions: Ice - Blue, Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular

“Full, dense snowpack remains with an inch or so of fresh powder on top from last night. Opted for snowshoes roundtrip from the parking lot and never considered anything else. Opted not to take the upper part of the hiking trail, as the boulders are still showing and the sideslope ledge may be icy; others out today also skipped it. Snowmobile trail had been groomed at some point around the storm and had seen one snowmobile today. Full coverage with a few assorted rocks strewn. The snowmobile was not able to make it to the top, as the stretch from the top of the hiking trail to the summit is caked in ice (under an inch of powder); even the snowmobile cleats were struggling. Tubbs Flex Alps had no issue getting purchase, but I wouldn't trust Microspikes for the descent on that stretch. Both sides of the loop have ice. Fire tower footings are caked an inch of ice as well. Partly sunny morning with temperatures diving and winds ramping up.”