Current Conditions for Memorial Day Weekend
by Pinedale Online!
May 25, 2007
Below are current conditions for the Pinedale and Big Piney Ranger Districts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for those who want to get outdoors and recreate over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Pinedale Ranger District
Skyline Drive: Open to Elkhart Park. Campground does not have water services yet, but if you can find a spot without snow, you can still camp for free. No campground host. Hikers will encounter snow on trails with elevation gain into the wilderness.
Union Pass Road: Closed near the top due to snow. Can get about as far as Fish Creek.
Campgrounds Open with services:
Fremont Lake Campground
Whiskey Grove Campground
Campgrounds Open - NO Water or Services:
New Fork Lake Campground
Narrows Campground (at New Fork Lake)
Half Moon Lake Campground
Boulder Lake Campground
Partially Open:
Big Sandy: Campground not open yet, but is still accessible. Campground has not been checked for hazard trees and there is no water available. Trailhead access open, however hikers will encounter snow with elevation gain.
Green River Lakes Campground: Campground gated closed and won’t open until about June 20th. Trailhead/trailhead parking and boat launch areas are OPEN.
Big Piney Ranger District:
Sacajawea Campground: Open.
NOT Open:
McDougal Gap: Not open yet. Pass over to Greys River still closed due to snow.
Commissary Ridge Road: Not open yet. Still closed due to snow.
Middle Piney Lake Road: Not open yet. Still closed due to snow.
Fire Danger
Fire danger is still Low at this time. As usual, be careful with campfires and cigarettes at all times when outdoors. As the season progresses, keep posted with changes in fire danger ratings. We will post fire danger alerts, wildfires and any regulations that go into effect as we learn of them. Please be reminded that personal fireworks are prohibited at all times on National Forest land and in Sublette County.
Weather: High 60s, partly cloudy, possibility of T-Storms
A cold front is expected to push south across Wyoming today (Friday) for an increasing chance of thunderstorm activity. Rain showers and thunderstorms are expected in places. Some gusty winds, from 40-50 mph, may occur in areas around thunderstorm cells. Daytime temperatures over the holiday weekend should be in the high 60s. Nighttime temps will be in the mid-30s.
The spring season appears to be about a month ahead of schedule as far as accessibility. Backcountry users are reminded that it is still May here, which means weather can be very changeable between spring-ish and back to winter with cold and snow at any time as weather systems move through. Prepare for changeable weather, bring warm clothing to layer and sleeping bags rated to freezing weather. Low elevation trails may be wet and muddy with some downfall still across the trail. Water crossings may have high water. High elevation trails are still blocked with snow which may not clear until mid-to-late June. Biting bugs are still not too much of a problem, but ticks definitely are out. Be aware of diseases and dangers biting bugs can bring (“tick fevers”, West Nile Virus) and protect yourself accordingly.
Weather Forecast:
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a west wind between 13 and 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. West wind between 15 and 18 mph becoming light. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 64. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind between 6 and 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 69. East southeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southwest.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Memorial Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 68.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Wednesday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 63.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Thursday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 72.
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