Trail conditions at Staunton State Park

The park received more snow from the mid week storm and all trails are covered with some type of precipitation. Hikers are advised to bring some type of traction/spikes as thawing and re freezing is taking place with the warmer temperatures. Bikers should be aware that some trails are not easily navigated due to deep snow conditions. Snow shoeing is possible on some upper trails. With another storm in the forecast for mid week, users should be aware that these conditions will continue through to next weekend.

Cautions: Ice flows exist on upper Mason Creek trail above the Old Mill and at the aspen grove creek crossing. Another ice flow exists on Border Line trail at the creek crossing near the Old Mill.
Users should note that icy spots exist in Mason Creek canyon. Use extreme caution if you choose to come down this trail.

Bikers: some trails will be hard to navigate due to deep snow in areas. These will include West Meadow, Lions Back and in some areas, Bear Paw.

Please note: the new Lazy V parking lot is open. Please respect private residences and stay on the road.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), Davis Ponds (DP), lower Mason Creek (MC), Dines Meadow (DM), Chase Meadow (CM). the Historic Cabin district trails, access road and all climbing access trails. These trails are slushy and icy with some dry areas. Traction/spikes are highly recommended.

Upper trails
Mason Creek canyon (MC)..snow packed with icy areas....use caution when coming down this section of trail
Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed with icy areas and areas of deep snow
Bear Paw (BP)--some snow pack...some areas of deeper snow
Border Line (BL)--snow packed with icy areas
Old Mill (OM)--snow packed and icy
Scout Line (SL)--snow packed and icy
Marmot Passage (MP)--snow packed
Chimney Rock (CR)--snow packed with some icy areas
Elk Falls (EF)--some snow packed and icy areas
Lions Back (LB)--deep snow with very little packing
Lions Head (LH)--some snow pack
\West Meadow (WM)--deep snow with very little packing
Bugling Elk (BE)--snow packed with icy spots

Cold weather and more snow has made for very snowy conditions in the park. Most trails are snow packed. Four races in the park this past weekend have resulted in good packing on some trails.

Warmer and dryer weather is in the forecast for the next week so expect melting and re freezing to bring about icy conditions. Hikers are urged to bring some form of traction/spikes and these are recommended for ALL trails. Expect icy conditions to continue into next weekend.

Cautions: Although ice flows are currently covered in packed snow, expect this to change as warmer weather is in the forecast. This will be especially true for creek crossings on upper Mason Creek and Border Line trails.

Mason Creek canyon is currently snow packed but a thick layer of glassy ice lies underneath the snow and will exist more prominently as snow begins to melt. All users are urged to use extreme caution when coming down this section of trail.

Notes: Although Bear Paw is snow packed, the technical section of trail is not packed and bikers should avoid this area.

Lions Head trail will be closing on March 15 and not reopen until August 1.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), Davis Ponds (DP), lower Mason Creek (MC), Chase Meadow (CM), Dines Meadow (DM), historic cabins and all climbing access: trails are currently snow packed but melting and re freezing quickly. Bring traction for these trails.

Upper trails:
Mason Creek canyon (MC)--snow packed and icy
upper Mason Creek (MC)--snow packed with some icy areas
Bear Paw (BP)--snow packed....technical area not well packed
Old Mill (OM)--snow packed
Border Line (BL)--not well packed
Scout Line (SL)--snow packed
Marmot Passage (MP)--snow packed....expect icy conditions on the west side
Chimney Rock (CR)--not well packed
Elk Falls (EF)--snow packed....expect icy conditions later in the week
Lions Head (LH)--not very snow packed----this trail is closing March 15
Lions Back (LB)--snow packed
West Meadow (WM)--not well packed.
NOTE: it is recommended that bikers who want to navigate this area should ride clockwise on the CR-WM loop
Bugling Elk (BE)--snow packed and icy

Staunton State Park trails report for Saturday March 26, 2022
The park received more snow this past week, but the warming trend has caused much drying especially on the lower trails. Upper trails are mostly ice packed with some drying. Some trails still have not been well broken in and are not well packed. This week the forecast is calling for some precipitation. Depending on temperatures more snow could drop on the park, especially toward the middle of the week. The early part of the week will see more drying on the trails. Hikers are urged to bring some sort of spikes/traction especially for upper trails due to melting and re freezing.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon is icy and all users should use caution especially when coming down this section of trail. Watch also for ice flows at all creek crossings including Mason Creek and Border Line trails.

Bikers: Bear Paw and West Meadow trails are not well packed and will be difficult to navigate. Also, expect muddy conditions on some trails.
Note: Lions Head trail is closed until August 1.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), historic cabin district, Dines Meadow (DM), and all climbing access trails: Expect drying conditions with some icy spots in the morning and slushy and muddy spots in the afternoon. These conditions may change if more snow comes in this week.

Upper Trails
Mason Creek canyon..(MC)..icy...use caution when coming through this section of trail
upper Mason Creek (MC)..ice and snow packed
Bear Paw (BP)..not well packed...not recommended for bikes
Old Mill (OM)..ice packed with some dry areas
Border Line (BL)..some icy areas...some drying on west side
Scout Line (SL)..icy and muddy in some areas with some drying on the summit
Marmot Passage (MP)..ice packed with some drying on the west side
Chimney Rock (CR)..snow and ice packed...some drying on the upper (west) side
Elk Falls (EF)...some drying with icy areas
Lions Back (LB)..some packing but with deep snow...not recommended for bikes
West Meadow (WM)..not well packed with areas of deep snow....not recommended for bikes.
Bugling Elk (BE)...ice packed with some muddiness on the west side.

Springtime has arrived at the park, which means all sorts of conditions on the trails. While the park did receive 4-5" of snow earlier this past week, most of the lower trails are now dry or tacky with only some small patches and stretches of packed snow and mud. The upper trails are another story altogether with mostly snow packed, icy (mornings especially), slushy / mashed potatoes (mostly after 10-11 am), deep snow in shady areas and muddy conditions in between. Some trails like BP and WM are not broken-in or packed and not ridable by bikers (deep snow). This week's forecast is calling for some unsettled weather with the possibility of some more snow (nothing big). Depending on temperatures, conditions could become muddier on the lower trails. Hikers are urged to bring some sort of spikes/traction if attempting to hike any of the upper trails or Mason Creek Canyon due to melting and refreezing, especially in the mornings.

Cautions: Mason Creek canyon is very icy and all users should use caution especially when coming down this section of trail (not advised for descending bikers). Watch also for ice flows at all creek crossings including Mason Creek and Border Line trails.

Bikers: Upper sections of Bear Paw and West Meadow trails are mostly untracked and not currently ridable (large stretches of deep unpacked snow). Also, expect icy, slushy, muddy, and low traction conditions on all other upper trails. Expect choppy (but ridable) conditions on upper trails from hiker tracks and on areas where the deeper snowpack is melting in a non-uniform way. To protect trails and for safety, bikes with wider tires (>4") are necessary on all upper trails due to the muddy, snowy, and low traction conditions.

Note: Lions Head trail is closed until August 1.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), historic cabin district, Dines Meadow (DM), and all climbing access trails: Trail conditions continue to dry with some short sections of icy spots in the morning and slushy and muddy spots in the afternoon. Over 90% of the lower trails are mostly dry or tacky (except lower MC). Expect these conditions to change if more snow comes in this week.

Upper Trails:

• Lower Mason Creek canyon..(MC)..VERY icy...use caution when coming through this section of trail. Bikers advised to avoid descending this section of trail. Traction devices highly recommended for hikers.
• Upper Mason Creek (MC)..icy and snow packed. Choppy conditions for bikers from melting / refreezing snow and hiker tracks on deep / softening / melting snowpack.
• Bear Paw (BP)..not well packed or navigable...not currently ridable for bikes on the upper sections near the lookouts (very deep snow).
• Old Mill (OM)..mix of icy / snow packed / muddy conditions with some drying in open areas.
• Border Line (BL).. icy and snow packed (choppy snow conditions for bikes) on east side with...some drying / mixed conditions on west side.
• Scout Line (SL).. mix of conditions ... icy / snow packed on lower sections, snow packed and muddy in upper areas with some drying on the summit ridge.
• Marmot Passage (MP).. snow and ice packed on NE side with some drying on the SW side.
  
• Chimney Rock (CR).. snow and ice packed...some drying on the upper (west) side. While rideable for bikers, some side sloped low traction sections are challenging / difficult.
• Elk Falls (EF)...some drying with patchy icy areas. Water now visible again over falls! Large sections of ice previously blocking the waterfall has opened up! Expect water flow over the falls to rapidly increase as the spring thaw continues.
• Lions Back (LB)..some packing but with deep snow in sections.
• West Meadow (WM)..not packed with areas of deep snow....not recommended or ridable for bikes currently
• Bugling Elk (BE)...ice and snow packed in shady areas with some very muddy conditions (icy in the morning) on the west side.

Our Trail volunteers are back at it! We will be posting weekly updates on Sundays. Here is the first trail report of 2022!

Trails in the park have been relatively dry this fall until the recent storm. The park received from 1-2 inches of snow and all trails are covered with some snow. Lower trails are drying quickly and are mostly snow packed with long stretches of dry trail while upper trails are snow packed with a thin layer of snow. With warmer temperatures and a dry forecast expect trails to dry out quickly. Upper trails will be snow packed and icy as melting and re-freezing occurs. Spikes/traction are recommended for sections of some upper trails including Mason Creek canyon and lower Chimney Rock trail to the junction with Elk Falls trail as these areas will be icy.

Cautions: A very large ice flow exists below the Old Mill on Old Mill trail. Spikes/traction are highly recommended for this area.
Ice flows also exist on Mason Creek trail at the aspen grove. Creek crossings are also icy.

As melting occurs watch for iciness in Mason Creek canyon and use caution especially coming down this section of trail.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch, lower Mason Creek, Davis Ponds, Chase Meadow, the historic cabin trail, all climbing access trails and the access road Trails are drying quickly and will be mostly dry throughout the week.

Upper trails: These will include Mason Creek canyon, upper Mason Creek, Bear Paw, Old Mill, Border Line, Scout Line, Marmot Passage, Chimney Rock, Elk Falls, Lions Back, Lions Head, West Meadow and Bugling Elk. Upper trails received one to two inches of snow. Expect snow to be packed with icy areas as the melting begins this next week. Watch for ice flows at creek crossings. Spikes may be needed on some upper trails.

Staunton State Park trails report for Sunday January 1, 2023

The park received significant snowfall this past week and ALL trails are covered, mostly with packed snow and icy conditions. Hikers should consider bringing spikes/traction for all trails. In addition, a storm is in the forecast for this evening and tomorrow and more snow could fall in the park, so be prepared for these new conditions. Snow shoeing is possible on some upper trails, especially Bear Paw, West Meadow and upper Mason Creek.

Cautions: Ice flows exist on upper Mason Creek trail at creek crossings and a large one at the aspen meadow. Also, flows exist on Old Mill, Border Line and the junction of Chimney Rock and Lions Back trails. Use extreme caution in these areas, especially when coming down the trail.

The park received more snow this past week and cold temperatures ensured that not much melting occurred. However, warmer temperatures this weekend mean thawing and re freezing is occurring. With warmer and dryer weather in the forecast for the next week, expect this trend to continue. Trails will become icy and hikers are urged to bring spikes/traction for all trails as they will be icy. Some upper trails are not well broken in or packed. Snow shoeing and cross country skiing are possible on some upper trails such as Bear Paw, Mason Creek, Lions Back and West Meadow.

Cautions: Users wanting to hike to Elk Falls are urged to bring some form of traction. Glassy ice exists especially on the lower section of steps leading to the Falls and this trail can be treacherous in spots.

Ice flows continue to exist at creek crossings including upper Mason Creek, Border Line, Scout Line and Old Mill trails.

Bikers: Some upper trails are not well packed and will be difficult to navigate. They include Bear Paw (BP), upper Mason Creek (MC), Lions Back (LB), upper Chimney Rock (CR) from the junction with Elk Falls trail and West Meadow (WM).

Some climbing access trails are not broken in.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), historic cabins, Dines Meadow (DM), Chase Meadow (CM), the connector trail to Border Line, Red Wall and the access road: These trails are snow packed and icy with some drying. Expect icy conditions this coming week with thawing and re freezing, especially in the morning.

Upper trails: The following upper trails are snow packed and icy and include Mason Creek canyon (MC), some portions of upper Mason Creek (MC), Old Mill (OM), Border Line (BL), Scout Line (SC), Marmot Passage (MP) lower Chimney Rock to the Elk Falls trail head (CR), Elk Falls (EF) and Bugling Elk (BE).

Other upper trails such as the very upper portions of Mason Creek (MC), Bear Paw (BP), Lions Back (LB), Lions Head (LH) and West Meadow (WM) are not well packed and are difficult to navigate.

The park did not receive any new snow this past week. Warmer and dryer weather has resulted in drying on the trails, especially lower trails. As a result visitors should expect snow packed and icy conditions on all trails. Hikers should plan to bring some type of traction/spikes which are recommended for all trails. These conditions may change as forecasts are calling for storms in the area for early and mid week. Watch weather reports for further updates to determine if the park receives more snow.

Please note: the following trails have been groomed and will be easier to navigate as a result: Mason Creek, Bear Paw, Borderline, Chimney Rock, Lions Back and West Meadow.

Cautions: Watch for ice flows at creek crossings. Some of these may be extensive including on Mason Creek above the Old Mill, Old Mill trail and Border Line trail near the Old Mill. Use caution, especially coming down these trails.

Areas in Mason Creek canyon, especially at the lower (south) end are covered in glassy ice. Use caution especially coming down this section of trail.

The technical section of Bear Paw has deep snow that is not packed. This section will be difficult for bikes to navigate.

Lower trails: These will include Staunton Ranch (SR), lower Mason Creek (MC), Davis Ponds (DP), Chase Meadow (CM), Historic Cabins (HC), all climbing access, Dines Meadow (DM), the connector trail between Staunton Ranch and Border Line trails and the access road: While drying has occurred these trails have areas of snow pack and iciness in the morning and slushy and muddy conditions in the afternoon. Spikes/traction is recommended for all these trails.

Upper trails: These will include Mason Creek canyon (MC), upper Mason Creek (MC), Bear Paw (BP), Old Mill (OM), Border Line (BL), Scout Line (SL), Marmot Passage (MP), Chimney Rock (CR), Elk Falls (EF), Lions Back (LB), Lions Head (LH), West Meadow (WM) and Bugling Elk (BE): These trails are snow packed and icy.