The Needles this time of year

Has anyone been up to see the Needles or know if it’s possible to climb there this time of year? Thanks for any info in advance!

I'm not sure,  but I believe that the roads are still closed. The fire messed up the roads pretty bad, and it's almost definitely under some snow... we also have another storm rolling in.

Historically they don’t open the gate until late may/early June. I’ve been told you can hike in though. Not sure on current conditions.

BITD …. This was about the time of year Voodoo would open up. The Lower road is probably snow free now- all that SW facing stuff (90%) of the climbing on Voodoo is perfect. The FS would open the gates, plow the road and remove downed trees. That’s in the past.
Don’t like it, write your Congress person, like I usta do. At one time a coalition of Hikers, Loggers, Fishermen and Climbers existed. The FS just said something about money then they stopped responding.
Got tired of beating a dead horse. 

Right now the road up from Porterville is closed except to residents due to heavy recent storm damage. So, the Kernville road is plowed but only for emergency use.

CA Water Board reads 14 feet of total snow fall at Quaking Aspen (more or less across the road from the upper Needles Road). Temps at Ponderosa have been below zero at night most of the last week. On the ground now, 2 ft++

snow/precip/temp stats

Ron Carson has six feet of snow at his place, and he's down at Camp Nelson.

Join the Ponderosa Life FB Group to see it. People living up there are more or less in survival mode right now.

It's gonna be a big spring for the white water crowd...

In other words, no go for climbing for a while yet.

NWS for Ponderosa through Sunday:

The forecast calls for an accumulation of upwards of 5 feet of new snow by Sunday...

Yeaaaahh thanks ya’ll don’t look like ima be gettin up there any time soon but much appreciated beta

Kristian Solemwrote:

Right now the road up from Porterville is closed except to residents due to heavy recent storm damage. So, the Kernville road is plowed but only for emergency use.

CA Water Board reads 14 feet of total snow fall at Quaking Aspen (more or less across the road from the upper Needles Road). Temps at Ponderosa have been below zero at night most of the last week. On the ground now, 2 ft++

snow/precip/temp stats

Ron Carson has six feet of snow at his place, and he's down at Camp Nelson.

I and the family got up there last weekend.  There appeared to be a lot of non-locals at the Pierpoint restaurant/lodge on Saturday night, so they are definitely not enforcing the locals only rule, though there is little other reason this time of year to head up to that neck of the woods.   

This new storm must be dumping.  Last weekend there was no snow on the ground from the past storms other than a rare, small patch of snow in the shade hear and there.  For reference, this photo was taken in Camp Nelson on Saturday afternoon.  Lots of snow higher up but none in town.  Right after this pic was taken, my boys took off their jackets because they were too hot.  

Ron's place must be further uphill. I haven't been there yet, but EC and I are planning to cruise up for a visit. Last week Ron said we couldn't get there, and that he had deep snow. 

It must be the serious road damage is uphill of your place?

Vincent, this is a pretty good resource: https://ponderosaca.com/weather/ 

Robert Callahan, who owns a home at Ponderosa, took this some years ago from the top of Dome Rock via snowmobile. I'll bet it's a lot wilder now.

Ponderosa, 02/25/2023

And it's likely to get another few feet, with heavy snow predicted starting Monday through the week!! Unreal.

Kristian Solemwrote:

Robert Callahan, who owns a home at Ponderosa, took this some years ago from the top of Dome Rock via snowmobile. I'll bet it's a lot wilder now.

this photo insane! hit up your boy Rob for another shot this week!

That Ponderosa pic is crazy.  Crazy amount of snow, let alone for 7,000’ in the Southern Sierra.  Those burn areas up there need that moisture.

Great updates, I'm glad there's people willing to share this. I'm one of many waiting to get back on there as soon as possible (safely) 

Chente Santinowrote:

this photo insane! hit up your boy Rob for another shot this week!

I wish. It's a vacation home for him, and for the most part nobody's up there right now that doesn't have to be...

Maybe I'll try my friend with a plane... 

Sadly, yesterday the Ponderosa looked like this:

For the last several years new owners had put their hearts and souls into the place. Word is that falling ice damaged a propane line. And, of course, after last year's wildfires they couldn't secure insurance...

It burned to the ground.

Unreal.

Kristian Solemwrote:

Sadly, yesterday the Ponderosa looked like this:

For the last several years new owners had put their hearts and souls into the place. Word is that falling ice damaged a propane line. And, of course, after last year's wildfires they couldn't secure insurance...

It burned to the ground.

Unreal.

Is there a GoFundMe?

Last thing I would’ve expected to happen was a fire during all this snow! Horrible

Local news just posted the story about the lodge. Here's the link for the go fund me page.

https://gofund.me/99f6ea20

Kris, I was just going to post about this.  Complete bummer.  It looks like it’s a newer owner, not Debbie?  

climberkalenwrote:

Local news just posted the story about the lodge. Here's the link for the go fund me page.

https://gofund.me/99f6ea20

https://gofund.me/99f6ea20