Crowfeet Mountain

Quick report

Traveled into the Many Glacier Valley to assess spring trail conditions, document recent avalanche activity, and survey the area for recent wildlife activity. • Good snow coverage is still hanging on for ski touring opportunities in the Many Glacier Valley this spring. The Many Glacier Road is presently still closed to vehicle traffic at the park boundary at this time. • Please note that hiker/biker use of the last mile of road between the Many Glacier Hotel and the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn is restricted due to spring/summer construction projects. There is a nearby trail along the north side of the road that hikers/skiers must use to access the Swiftcurrent Valley. And bicycles are not permitted on park trails. Wildlife- • We observed moose on four separate occasions along the road between the dam and the lodge. • We observed some sheep grazing along the dry grassy slopes of Henkel/Altyn. • We came upon the old weathered remains of a goat/sheep on the Ptarmigan Trail. The carcass had been dragged off somewhere nearby, and on the trail we found some fur, blood, and a few scattered organs. This kill did not appear to be very recent, but I cannot say for sure. Snow/Avalanches- • Cold overnight temps left behind a stout supportable crust that provided fast efficient travel in the morning. • Breezy and blustery south winds slowed the surface thaw and the onset of subsequent wet snow avalanche problems. • We ascended and descended the Southwest Face of Crowfeet Mountain, and found excellent corn at about 2pm. • Some recent loose wet activity was observed, but surprisingly unremarkable considering some of the very warm weather we've had since last weekend. • A few recent large slab avalanches were spotted along the east facing slopes of Ptarmigan Wall. These were likely triggered sympathetically by long running loose snow slides. • Some large loose wet slide released during the day on the south aspect of Mount Henkel.