Lodgepole - Deadman Canyon Loop 9/2 -9/4

[schmalz]

I just did a trip over Elizabeth Pass over the weekend. I hadn't gotten much intel on it this year prior to the trip, so I figured I might as well give some here.

Long story short, there are a ton of downed trees on this route. I probably dealt with around 200, which made my already ambitious quick loop much more difficult.

Specifically, there has been no trail work done between Comanche Meadow and Roaring River, and also no trailwork done in Deadman's Canyon. I don't expect that either place gets trail work done regularly, but the last winter has caused a ton of treefall in this area and in some cases you need to walk through the mud in the marshes just to get around it. It's all doable but not very pleasant at all. Save it for when it's been cleared out, or make sure you give yourself some extra time.

Deadman Canyon did give a nice view, at least. Cheers!

deadman.jpg

[cgundersen]

schmalz: I've been trying to imagine the loop you took: was it Silliman pass and then Deadman to Elizabeth (or the reverse), or did you truck off trail? Mav had posted about several ranger groups sawing downed trees, but obviously they did not get to your zone! Cameron

[schmalz]

I didn't go offtrail on this trip. It was Silliman Pass - Roaring River - Elizabeth Pass - HST - Lakes Trail.

[cgundersen]

Well, that's a lot of terrain in a short time; hope it was worth it in spite of the obstacles! Cameron

[heiterman]

Hey, thanks for the update. That loop you did is part of my backup plan from doing a monster loop from Kearsarge. I was curious how much trail work was done and your post certainly answered my question. If I can ask, how was the north side of Elizabeth snow wise?

[schmalz]

Hey, thanks for the update. That loop you did is part of my backup plan from doing a monster loop from Kearsarge. I was curious how much trail work was done and your post certainly answered my question. If I can ask, how was the north side of Elizabeth snow wise?

There was snow covering the trail about 400 to 100 feet from the summit, but it was easily avoided by walking offtrail around it, to the right. There are also some snowfields at the flat part of the upper canyon that will be there for the rest of the year that you walk over, but they are no problem.

Once I got past the treefall in Deadman it was chill.