Organ Mountains

Has anyone been in this season climbing in the Organs? Do you think you could get to Sugarloaf and the Tooth or is there a lot of snow yet?

Thanks
Bob

A couple of my friends were out at sugarloaf about a week ago. They said there was a few feet of snow on the approach and some of the climbs were covered.

Bob Graham wrote:Has anyone been in this season climbing in the Organs? Do you think you could get to Sugarloaf and the Tooth or is there a lot of snow yet? Thanks Bob

The Tooth has been climbable all winter (except for a few days). Approach should be snow free (but full disclosure I haven't been up there since the last snow).

Sugarloaf has more of a northerly aspect to it. Likely still some snow on the approach and at the base, but the rock itself should be mostly clear. (same disclosure statement as above).

I'm still surprised how white the Organs look when I look from the north (Friday). But it was a warm weekend, and at this rate, the white stuff will go fast.

Bob Graham wrote:Has anyone been in this season climbing in the Organs? Do you think you could get to Sugarloaf and the Tooth or is there a lot of snow yet? Thanks Bob

I was on the west side a few weeks ago trying to do the Needle. There was about a foot of snow in the shady sections just before Juniper pass. It looked doable but I was wearing appraoch shoes and slipping all over the place. In one section that was pretty deep, I caught myself just before I face-planted into a barely covered agave bush. At that point my balls shrunk up and turned around...snow turns the desert into a minefield.

Hey Everyone,

Not trying to hijack this thread- but is Sugarloaf usually climbable in March- or is there too much snow?

I was up on the Needle a few weeks ago and it was clear except for dark canyon. The canyon had a lot of snow and ice. Kind of hard going but doable. The Tooth looked clear of snow and very inviting. Sugarloaf still had some snow on the approach and probably on some of the climbs. As a side note, Rabbit Ears canyon still had a lot of snow and ice further up the canyon. Made for good water sources.

Dan Carter wrote: Sugarloaf still had some snow on the approach and probably on some of the climbs. .

When you say that there was snow on the approach- how much are we talking? Is it impassable? We're planning a trip from Phoenix in two weeks out to do the Left Eyebrow and I'm hoping to get some insight on if it's worth the drive or if we should wait a few months?

Thanks for the help everyone!

Mike McDonald wrote: When you say that there was snow on the approach- how much are we talking? Is it impassable? We're planning a trip from Phoenix in two weeks out to do the Left Eyebrow and I'm hoping to get some insight on if it's worth the drive or if we should wait a few months?

If you can find a site that actually has real-time/recent satellite images you could try entering 32.3474, -106.5441. I can't seem to figure out how recent anything is...