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I was thinking aboot planning a trip to the Sewards in March but I have heard that the gate will be closing w/in a week. Does anyone have any info on the gate closing to the summer parking for the sewards?
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"The pleasure is in the path, the search for something good" -
The gate closes on March 1st."It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58 -
What gate?
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Thanks Skyclimber"The pleasure is in the path, the search for something good"Comment
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In the Wintertime, there is a gate that closes, near Stoney Creek, when a heavy snowfall or some other reason arises. It's not a maintained road. It then adds an additional 7 miles onto the trip. This year the gate stayed open most of the Winter, as there were workers at the camps down there.Originally posted by twochordcool"It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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Is it 7 miles? I thought it was a total of 4...Originally posted by Skyclimber2971wComment
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Roughly 3 1/2 miles each way. It takes an average of 1 1/2 hours to get to the Summer Trailhead from Stoney Creek.Originally posted by Kevin
To be exact 3.3 miles each way."It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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Thanks Marta, I confirmed your numbers with Topo as well. Dunno where the hell I got 4 miles, maybe that was someone's estimate one-way. When the day comes I want to hike the Sewards in the winter I'll probably base camp in there.
This explains the rush by peak baggers to get in there while the gate's open. Only thinking it was 2 miles in had me wondering "what's the big deal?"
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When your adding another 3 hours and almost 7 miles on an already long day, with sometimes/usually breaking trail it is "a big deal."Originally posted by KevinThis explains the rush by peak baggers to get in there while the gate's open. Only thinking it was 2 miles in had me wondering "what's the big deal?"
The gate being open so long this season was an especially "Sweet Treat" for all Winter Hikers needing those peaks. Especially when the gate is usually closed and stayed closed with the first major storm of the season. That's also why if there is any possibility of hikers getting in there on December 21st, they "swarm" in there like flies to get the peaks then.
I have done that road walk on several occasions into the Sewards. It does cost you a peak, having to go back in and do it all over again. I never Winter Camped and I never was no Alain Cheverette or Wayne Ratowski, who that extra walk would be no problem for guys like them!!
When I did the Sewards in 1994 having the extra on the road, each trip turned into a nightmare of almost 16 hours each time! No Fun!"It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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I skied the road a few seasons ago with the idea of bagging donaldson-emmons then back over to seward. I did the winter bushwack up to a where we connected with calkins brook, and summited donaldson. Broke trail with a strong group over towards emmons. Ended up bushwacking way too far down, and could never regain the trail. Then a VERY long posthole nightmare back up to donaldson as the sun set. It was extremely cold, and the spirit of the group had deteriorated quickly. We ended up back at our skis well after dark, and skied out by headlamp. That gate was a very sweet sight to behold after that many hours out. I considered myself fortunate to have used the road this season, even though I got my subaru stuck, and my partners excursion stuck trying to rescue my car. I still need emmons and seward in winter...I may try to ski the approach again this season.Comment
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The main reason the gate closes, is to protect the road, so that cars won't tear it up during the spring thaw. Snow protects the road most of the winter. The March 1 date is normal for its closing.Originally posted by Skyclimber2971wSenility is a terrible thing. I blame society. That and years of substance abuse.Comment
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Does anyone know when the gate re-opens? Is there a fixed date, or does it change appreciably from year to year depending on conditions?
I ask because I'm considering a Seymour hike for mid-April (reasonable weather permitting), but if the road to the summer trailhead won't be open at that point I'll find something else to climb."Gentlemen! There's no fighting in here, this is the War Room!"
- from the movie Dr. StrangeloveComment
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I deleted the email last week, telling me of the dates of closing of the gate, I'm guessing it was around May 16th that it reopens.Originally posted by Gandalf"It is easier to become a Forty-Sixer than to be one. The art of the being is to keep one's sense of wonder after the excitement of the game is over."
Paul Jamieson Class of '58Comment
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I figured on something like that, but it's good to be sure. Thanks!"Gentlemen! There's no fighting in here, this is the War Room!"
- from the movie Dr. StrangeloveComment
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No fixed date, but usually mid-May. It opens when the road is "defrosted". Not the surface ice, but the frozen ground beneath it.Senility is a terrible thing. I blame society. That and years of substance abuse.Comment
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