Trail conditions at Staunton State Park

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday January 25, 2020

Due to warm temperatures and dry weather, park trails are drying out, especially lower trails. Expect to see a mixture of dry and muddy conditions combined with ice. If snow materializes as predicted for the coming week, these conditions will change, so be prepared for this. Hikers are encouraged to bring some type of traction for ALL trails as icy conditions are prevalent. Bikers should be aware that although snow pack exists, especially on upper trails, patches of ice are covering all trails.

Cautions:
Mason Creek canyon is icy and is especially slick when coming down this section of trail
Ice flows exist on upper Mason Creek trail at the aspen meadow and on Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Lower trails:
Although much drying has occurred during the past week, muddy and icy conditions still exist and will continue throughout the next week. Bring traction for hiking these trails. These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), the cabin district, all climbing access and access road.

Upper trails:
Some thawing and re-freezing is taking place on these trails. Areas of dry mixed with iciness should be expected. Some upper trails like Lions Back (LB), Lions Head (LH), West Meadow (WM). and Bear Paw (BP) still have areas of deep packed snow. Other upper trails such as upper Mason Creek (MC), Old Mill (OM), Border Line (BL), Bugling Elk (BE), Scout Line (SL), Marmot Passage (MP) Chimney Rock (CR) and Elk Falls (EF) are icy with some snow pack and some dry areas.

Photos: Lion’s Back, Chimney Rock, Bugling Elk, and Border Line

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday February 1, 2020

The park received several inches of snow this week due to a storm. As a result all trails have some form of precipitation on them. Lower trails have dried out some but visitors can expect trails to still contain slushy and icy conditions. Upper trails are snow packed and some trails have areas of deep snow. Please note that a storm is in the forecast for the first part of the week and dependent on how much snow the area receives, trails will ALL be covered for the entire week. As a result, snow shoeing and skiing will be possible. Hikers are encouraged to bring some form of traction/spikes.

Cautions:
Mason Creek canyon is icy and caution is needed when coming down this section of trail. Bear Paw trail has two major icy areas. Ice flows exist on upper Mason Creek trail near the aspen meadow and on Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Lower trails:
As of the above date, some drying has occurred but slush and muddy areas exist. Expect icy conditions in the morning and more snow after the early week storm. These trails will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), cabin district. all climbing access, Dines Meadow (DM) and the access road.

Upper trails:
Mason Creek canyon (MC)--icy and snow packed---spikes/traction recommended---caution is needed when coming down this section of trail
upper Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed and icy---ice flow is covering the trail at the aspen meadow
Bear Paw (BP)--large areas of ice covering the trail---trail is snow packed with some areas of deep snow
Old Mill (OM)--snow packed and icy
Border Line (BL)--snow packed and icy---ice flow covers the trail near the Old Mill
Scout Line (SL)--snow packed and icy with some dry areas on the summit
Marmot Passage (MP)---east side and summit are snow packed---west side has some drying
Chimney Rock (CR)--mostly snow packed
Elk Falls (EF)--mostly dry
Lions Back (LB)--deep snow with some packing
Lions Head (LH)--deep snow with very little packing---This trail closes on March 15.
West Meadow (WM)---BIKERS---this trail is difficult to navigate in some sections due to deep snow----some snow packing
Bugling Elk (BE)--snow packed with icy areas

Photos: Elk Falls, Marmot Passage, Scout Line, Staunton Ranch, West Meadow

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday February 8, 2020

Trails are being groomed throughout the park by 285 Nordic Club volunteers. So far Mason Creek, Borderline, and Staunton Ranch have been groomed.

It is snowing hard again! The park has already received another 3 inches on top of everything else this week, and it is still snowing. If you plan on coming to the park today, prepare for winter driving conditions and be safe! The Visitor Center will be opening late for snow removal operations.

The park received a huge amount of snow this past week from a couple of storms. As a result ALL trails are covered in deep snow. Only a few trails are packed. Expect these conditions to remain the same throughout the coming week as more snow and cold temperatures are in the forecast. Snow shoeing and skiing are possible on all trails with conditions for these sports the best they have been for the entire winter season.

Note: Upper trails contain very deep snow and some of these may be difficult to navigate for bikes.

Staunton State Park trails report for Sunday February 23, 2020

The park saw some drying this past week, especially on lower trails. All trails are still covered with some form of precipitation. A new storm is in the forecast for today and conditions, as a result, will be changing with more snow dropping on trails in the park. Expect some drying with thawing and re-freezing toward the end of next week with warmer and dryer weather coming in. Hikers should bring some kind of traction for all trails. Snow shoeing is possible on upper trails.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon is very icy...hikers should use some form of traction/spikes when hiking through this section of trail. Bikers should consider dismounting, especially coming down this area.
An ice flow is covering Border Line trail near the Old Mill area.

Bikers:
Bear Paw and West Meadow trails are not recommended as deep snow with very little packing is still prevalent.

Lower trails:
Lower trails are slushy, icy and muddy. These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), the cabin district and the access road. All climbing access trails are not broken in.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--long stretches of ice exist along with snow pack.....caution is needed especially coming down this trail. Hikers should use spikes/traction on this section of trail
• upper Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed---trail has been groomed
• Bear Paw (BP)--some snow pack but bumpy/rutty conditions exist---deep snow in some areas---technical area not broken in---Not recommended for bikes
• Old Mill (OM)--snow packed and icy
• Border Line (BL)--snow packed---groomed---ice flow is covering the trail near the Old Mill
• Scout Line (SL)--snow packed with icy areas
• Marmot Passage (MP)--snow packed---groomed---dry with icy areas on west side
• Chimney Rock (CR)--snow packed
• Elk Falls (EF)--some drying with icy and snow packed areas
• Lions Back (LB)--snow packed
• Lions Head (LH)--some snow pack with deep snow--This trail is closing March 15
• West Meadow (WM)---not well broken in---not recommended for bikes
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow packed---has been groomed

Photos: Staunton Ranch, Mason Creek, Bear Paw, Border Line

Staunton State Park trails report for Sunday March 1, 2020

NOTE: Daily passes have increased from $8 to $9

Storms dropped lots of snow on the park this past week and, although there was some drying the past several days, trails are covered in various forms of precipitation. Lower trails are mostly snow-packed, icy and muddy, while upper trails are covered in deep snow with some snow pack. Some trails are not easily navigated due to deep snow and some trails are not broken in. Expect these conditions to continue with more storms coming in this next week.

Snow shoeing and skiing are possible on all upper trails. Hikers should bring some form of traction/spikes, which is recommended for all trails in the park.

Cautions:
Mason Creek canyon remains very icy. Users especially coming down this trail should use extreme caution.

Ice flows exist on upper Mason Creek trail at the aspen meadow and on Border Line trail near the Old Mill

Bikers please note:
the following trails are not recommended for biking due to deep snow and no packing---these trails are very difficult to navigate---Bear Paw, Bugling Elk, West Meadow and LIons Back. Hikers---snow shoes are the best way to navigate these trails.

Traveling to Elk Falls is possible, but more difficult due to deep snow and lack of packing.

Please note: Lions Head trail is closing March 15.

Lower Trails:
These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), the cabin district and access road: Trails are snow-packed, icy and muddy. Climbing access trails are not broken in.

Upper Trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--very icy--caution is needed when coming down this section of trail
• upper Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed---some areas of deep snow
• Bear Paw (BP)--snow shoes recommended for hikers and not recommended for bikers---some packing, but rutty and some areas of deep snow
• Old Mill (OM)--snow packed with icy areas
• Border Line (BL)--snow packed
• Scout Line (SL)--snow packed and icy
• Marmot Passage (MP)--snow packed---areas of deep snow on summit---some drying on west side
• Chimney Rock (CR)--not well broken in---some deep snow on the west (upper) side
• Elk Falls (EF)--not well broken in---some icy areas
• Lions Back (LB)--deep snow---not well broken in
• West Meadow (WM)--not broken in---deep snow---can ski or snow shoe this trail
• Lions Head (LH)--not broken in---deep snow--This trail is closing March 15
• Bugling Elk (BE)---not plowed and not well broken in---deep snow in some areas

PHOTOS: Bugling Elk, Mason Creek, Staunton Ranch, West Meadow

Staunton State Park trails report for Sunday March 8, 2020

We had a mostly dry week with lots of warmer days. Expect muddy conditions on lower trails with patches of ice and melting snow. Upper trails will have muddy areas with patches of ice and packed snow. Some deeper snow drifts are possible on west and upper trails.

Hikers should bring some form of traction/spikes, which is recommended for all trails in the park.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon remains very icy. User’s especially coming down this trail, should use extreme caution.
Ice flows exist on upper Mason Creek trail at the aspen meadow and on Border Line trail near the Old Mill.

Please note: Lions Head trail is closing March 15.

Lower Trails: these will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), the cabin district and access road: Trails are muddy and icy.

Upper Trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--very icy--muddy--caution is needed when coming down this section of trail
• upper Mason Creek (MC)—some snow packed areas ---
• Bear Paw (BP)—Packed snow and ice with open patches/mud
• Old Mill (OM)-- Ice and some packed snow with open patches
• Border Line (BL)—Ice and some packed snow with open patches
• Scout Line (SL)-- Ice and some packed snow with open patches
• Marmot Passage (MP)-- Ice and some packed snow with open patches
• Chimney Rock (CR)—Packed snow, ice, open patches, deeper drifts possible
• Elk Falls (EF)—Packed snow and ice
• Lions Back (LB)—Snow and ice, some deeper drifts possible
• West Meadow (WM)—Snow and ice, some deeper drifts possible
• Lions Head (LH)—Snow and ice, some deeper drifts possible--This trail is closing March 15
• Bugling Elk (BE)---not plowed, packed snow and ice and mud

Photos: First 2: Marmot Passage. Third and Fourth: Scout Line

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday March 14, 2020

Due to warmer and dryer weather park trails are drying out. Lower trails are mostly dry while upper trails are in the thawing/re-freezing process. Expect this trend to continue this coming week with warm and mostly dry weather to continue. Hikers should bring spikes/traction if you are planning to hike on upper trails as they are icy.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon is very icy. Hikers need some form of traction to navigate through this area. This section of trail is NOT recommended for bikers.
An ice flow is covering Border Line trail near the Old Mill
***Please note: Upper Lions Head trail is closed until August 1.

Lower trails: All lower trails are mostly dry except for a few muddy and icy spots. These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), Chase Meadow (CM), Davis Ponds (DP), cabin district, all climbing access and access road.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon--(MC)--very icy---not recommended for bikers---spikes recommended for hikers---this area of trail is especially hazardous when coming down.
  
• Mason Creek--(MC)--snow and ice packed
• Bear Paw--(BP)--snow and ice packed---some deep snow especially on upper section--trail is bumpy and rutty and will be difficult for bikers to navigate
• Old Mill--(OM)--some drying with icy areas
• Border Line--(BL)--east side and summit are snow and ice packed---west side has drying---ice flow exists near the Old Mill
• Scout Line--(SL)--mostly dry except on the section near Marmot Passage trail
• Marmot Passage--(MP)--snow packed on east side and summit---west side is drying
• Chimney Rock--(CR)--snow and ice packed on lower section with some drying on upper (west) side
• Elk Falls--(EF)--some drying
• Lions Back--(LB)--snow packed---some areas of deep snow
• Lions Head--(LH)--CLOSED
• West Meadow--(WM)--some snow pack with some areas of deep snow---some drying on upper (west) side. Some areas may be difficult for bikers to navigate
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--snow and ice packed with some drying on west side

PHOTOS: Border Line, Bear Paw, Mason Creek, Staunton Ranch

The Visitor Center is closed, but the park is OPEN! Come get some fresh air in the great outdoors.

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday March 21, 2020

The park received over a foot of snow in the storm this past week. As a result, all trails are covered with some form of precipitation. With possibly more snow in the forecast, expect these conditions to continue with drying, thawing and re-freezing toward the end of the week when it will be dryer and warmer. Snow shoeing is possible on most trails and especially upper trails. Bikers should be aware that some upper trails are not easily navigated due to deep snow. Hikers should bring some form of spikes/traction for all trails.

Notice: Lions Back trail is closed until August 1.
The following trails are covered in deep snow and are not recommended for bikers: Bear Paw (BP), parts of upper Mason Creek (MC), West Meadow (WM) and Lions Back (LB).

Lower trails: snow packed with slushy and muddy spots---expect more drying on these trails later in the week.

Upper trails: all upper trails are covered in snow with some packing on the more well-used trails but some trails are either not broken in or not well-packed. Expect deep snow conditions on most of these trails.

285 Nordic Club groomed Staunton Ranch, Border Line, and Marmot Passage.


More photos courtesy of Ranger Dale:

Staunton State Park trails report for Sunday March 29, 2020

Park trails are drying out thanks to warmer and dryer weather. Lower trails are dry to mostly dry while upper trails are thawing and re-freezing resulting in icy conditions in some areas. Expect this trend to continue this coming week as warm and dry weather continues.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon continues to be icy in areas. Bikers and hikers are urged to use caution, especially when coming down this section of trail. Hikers should used traction/spikes in this area.

Chimney Rock trail is icy, especially in the area of the junction with Lions Back trail---use caution when coming down this trail.

Note: Bikes are not recommended for Bear Paw and West Meadow trails due to deep snow that is not well-packed. These trails will be difficult to navigate in some areas.

Lions Head trail is closed until August 1.

Lower trails:
These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), Davis Ponds (DP), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), Chase Meadow (CM). and the cabin district, all climbing access and the access road---are mostly dry.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek Canyon--(MC)--icy---use caution when coming down this trail---spikes/traction recommended for hikers
• Upper Mason Creek--(MC)--snow packed
• Bear Paw--(BP)--snow packed---some drying but some deep snow---bikes not recommended
• Old Mill--(OM)--snow packed and slushy
• Border Line--(BL)--east side--icy and snow packed---an ice flow exists near the Old Mill--west side mostly dry
• Scout Line--(SL)--mostly dry with icy spots in shady areas
• Marmot Passage--(MP)--east side has some snow pack---summit and west side mostly dry with some icy areas
• Chimney Rock--(CR)--the east side is icy and snow packed---traction/spikes recommended for hikers---bikers should use caution when coming down this trail---icy areas exist especially close to the junction with Lions Back trail. Upper trail (west side)---mostly dry
• Elk Falls--(EF)--mostly dry
• Lions Back--(LB)--some drying along with snow and ice pack

  ---

  use caution when coming down this trail near the junction with Chimney Rock trail.
• Lions Head--(LH)--closed until August 1
• West Meadow--(WM)--some drying on upper (west ) trail but deep snow exists and the trail is not well-packed---not recommended for bikes
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--icy
  
  
  
  
  and snow packed with some drying and muddy areas on west side---bikes should use caution when navigating the hill on the east side---some very icy areas

Photos: Elk Falls Overlook, Marmot Passage, Lion’s Back, West Meadow

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday April 4, 2020

The drying trend has continued in the park this past week and with warm and dry weather in the forecast for this coming week this trend will continue. Lower trails are, for the most part, dry while upper trails are beginning to dry out with longer stretches of dry trail but still snow packed and icy in spots.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon still has icy areas. Use caution when coming down this section of trail. A long stretch of ice exists just east of the junction of Chimney Rock and Lions Back trails. Bikers should use caution when coming down this section of trail.

Bikers, please note: Bear Paw and West Meadow trails are still difficult to navigate due to deep snow in some areas. Lions Back trail is packed but rutty.

Note: Lions Head trail is closed until August 1.

Lower trails: This will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Dines Meadow (DM), Chase Meadow (CM), the cabins trail, all climbing access and the access road---are mostly dry.

Upper trails:

• Mason Creek canyon (MC)--some drying but still some icy areas---users should use caution when coming down this trail.
• Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed and icy with some drying
• Bear Paw (BP)--snow packed and icy---some deep snow still exists on this trail making it difficult for bikers to navigate
• Old Mill (OM)--some ice and snow pack
• Border Line (BL)--east side---snow packed and icy--west side is dry
• Scout Line (SL)--mostly dry with some areas of snow pack
• Marmot Passage (MP)--east side is snow packed---summit has some areas of snow pack--west side is dry
• Chimney Rock (CR)--lower (east side)--snow packed with icy areas---caution should be taken when coming down trail to the junction with Lions Back---icy. Upper (west) side is mostly dry.
• Elk Falls (EF)--mostly dry
• Lions Back (LB)--some dry areas mixed with rutty snow pack)--bikers, please note this trail will be more difficult to navigate
• Lions Head (LH)--Closed until August 1
• West Meadow (WM)--some drying but still some areas of deep snow---bikers, please note--this trail will be difficult to navigate
• Bugling Elk--(BE)--east side is snow packed and in some spots icy---west side is dry

No trail pictures this week, but here are some photos of a foggy Lion’s Head from one of our volunteers!