Big Chief Conditions

Gates are open, road seems like it has been improved.

The gates are open, went last weekend. You can drive all the way in.

About what time of day does the sun crest the wall?

The easier climbs start getting into the sun around 1-130. The stuff in the cave is almost completely shaded till 3.

Does anyone know what the road conditions look like this early season? I know it's been a bit muddy but the weather has been pretty sunny. Curious if they have opened any gates etc. 

Road condis are great. Was just up there today. Second gate is still closed. Almost no snow on the road whatsoever. Was about a 3 mile hike in 

Is big chief open yet? May 2024

Howdy! This is gonna be my first time in the area, so I don't know to much about it yet, but from what I gather there are 2 gates. I'm trying to figure out if either are open, and how far the approach is based on the current gate situation

Both gates are open. Standard summer approach, about 20 minutes from the parking lot.

Anyone been up there yet this year? Are both gets open / is the wall accessible?

M Wwrote:

Anyone been up there yet this year? Are both gets open / is the wall accessible?

I went up 2 weeks ago and the Gates were open

Are both gates open? If anyone's been up there or contacted the ranger station. They haven't picked up my calls.

Try emailing the district ranger, the Forest Service no longer has front desk staff in Truckee. Thank the new administration for that one!

Ethan Petreewrote:

Are both gates open? If anyone's been up there or contacted the ranger station. They haven't picked up my calls.

Were you able to find out? 

Emailed today, waiting for a response!

Both gates are open as of 12/05, assume it will stay that way as long as the warm weather holds.

Thanks Lurker, That's good to hear! This is the response I received on the 1st: I’d only be guessing as I haven’t driven it for a few weeks, but it’s probably mostly clear with snow patches in the north facing aspects.  Gates shouldn’t be closed quite yet. - Jonathan Fisher USFS

I hope they keep it open on Saturday the 13th, and logically I think they would unless they preemptively close it. I don't see snow on my forecast app till the 16th, the Tuesday, but obviously we're a week out so weather can and will change. 

If anyone wants to join I am aiming to climb the 5.11s and try a 5.12 or two on the 13th of December! I'll probably go with a friend or two, maybe I can convince my parents as well to brave the cold to get on real rock. 

And an update is that the gates are open at big chief.  Typically, they close them towards the end of December depending on the snow situation. If anyone wants to come climb with us, we'll be at The Oven around 9:15 tomorrow morning! Climbing 5.10a to trying the 5.12a