Russel Glacier info request

Tried search but got nothing. Thinking of skiing it next weekend. Is the road to Mowich lake open? Can someone post links to TRs or provide beta or comments ( good places to camp ect)? Anyone wana go? We are planing on an overnight.<br>Thanks.

Search "russell" or "flett". There's a bunch of info that'll return. Contact the park via website or phone to find out road status. It was supposed to open on June 25th. Camp high for great views of the Puget Sound, Tacoma and Seattle.

I like camping at the bottom of the continuious snow below cat-eye. Then do an afternoon run or two to scout out any hazards and then do another run in the moonlight back to the tent. <br>http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TAAAALUX!qLKbUVWuCweb63rz*imvmfEcHNq8aVL8MIrxggERk22dbdBsDYtxPx3Zgqyxhpa*AcwNI7vttycf7*XYSdL3EP01fXbUkVur3vVS8rzQlN*8g/RainierAM.jpg?dc=4675325792194682833<br>(Hint: Wands don't work too well for marking obstacles for night skiing; they're hard to see at night and they seem to have an affinity for a passing skier's crotch) <br>Breakfasts are usually leasurly waiting for the snow to resoften. BooKoo torture points on the trip out with overnight packs.

The date that MRNP gives on their website is almost always at least 2 weeks too optimistic. I called Wilkeson last Thurs (6/24) and mentioned the web site listing possible opening the next day, and the person just laughed. They said there was 2-3' of snow at the road end at Mowich Lake, with snow on the last 2 miles of road. They seem to wait to open the gate until there is no snow at all on the road bed. The web site now says "Tentative opening early to mid-July." As I recall, they usually open the gate on a Friday, so 7/2 would seem a bit optimistic, and 7/9 or 7/16 more like it. Of course, you are allowed to walk or bike the road at any time...<br><br> www.turns-all-year.com/goldhome3/hp128/index.html

Charles, I just called the Park's General # 360-569-2211. I pressed 0 and asked the operator about Mowich Lk Road. They claim that they are working on the road right now and "hope" (sic) to have it open by the weekend. Should I believe them? I've gotten bogus advice from federal agencies before . . .<br><br>PS: Nice photo Ron!

Well, it has been sunny and warm, and that 2 miles of snow covered road could have had shallow cover, but based on experience I'm always skeptical about those "hopeful" kinds of comments. They never seem to be willing to confidently project more than a day ahead, and certainly never offer any guarantees. Your best bet might be to call the Wilkeson RS 360-829-5127 and see what they say - at least they are on the right side of the park. Then, I'd call the day before they are saying the road "might" open and see what they have to say. They don't often surprise with an unexpected early opening, but the surprise unexpected delayed opening is no longer a surprise to me.