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08-22-2017-Hotlum/Wintun Snowfield
General Conditions
The Brewer Creek Trailhead is open and 4WD vehicles can drive in all the way. The bathrooms are open and human waste packout bags are available inside. As of 07/25/17, Brewer Creek road has been repaired and a high clearance vehicle is no longer necessary to get all the way to the trailhead.
The climbing conditions for this route are good. Continuous snow can be found at the 10,000ft level. Sun cups and rough snow surfaces exist and the snow is melting fast.
This route is straight forward with a couple variations possible near the top. Stay on snow and don't knock rocks down onto climbers below. Where most people run into trouble on this route is descending back to their car. It's common to miss your vehicle too far to the south (skiers right). When descending, be sure to make a gradual trend skiers left, aligning yourself between Ash Creek Butte and the large lava flow that abruptly drops off at around 9,000 feet. If you put yourself in between these two land forms, you'll nail the descent every time. Again, just remember to trend left at the base of the lava flow at about 9,000 feet, not too far, but by placing yourself in between Ash Creek Butte and the blocky lava flow. This is mostly an issue for skiers when there is snow all the way down to the trailhead.
Call with questions!
