This notice just came across my desk from California State Parks regarding a fire ban on the Middle Fork and North Fork of the American River.

Read more…

I just wanted to announce that all mountain biking related content will now be published on a different website… http://www.mountaintread.com/

California Mountain Report will now be dedicated to rafting & kayaking in the spring and summer and skiing & snowboarding in the winter.

Mountain Tread is only a few weeks old at this point but we have a ton of content already planned out so don’t despair. We’re looking to a very fun summer of mountain biking so pay us visit over on the new site and be sure to subscribe to the RSS Feed.

My apologies for being so silent this spring.. life has been very busy.  It’s been a great spring rafting & kayaking season in California despite all the talk about drought. Late storms helped prolong the season a bit and provided some unexpected high water trips.

Now that Father’s Day weekend is upon us.. so is the end of the spring rafting season.  From here on out California will have some great rafting & kayaking ahead with typical summer flows on the South & Middle Forks of the American, The Tuolumne & Cherry Creek and Lower Kern.

Well, I’m starting to get notices in my inbox for the ski closures. With the ski season coming to an end, that only means 1 thing… spring is here and it’s time for whitewater rafting and mountain biking.

The big question everyone is asking is… how’s the water going to be. The good news is, after a slow start California is near 100% of normal. So we’re looking at an average California rafting season.  That means fun days on the Merced, Kaweah, the Forks & Upper Kern and a whole lot more.

AS for the California Mountain biking scene, I would assume most trails are open upto 3000 - 4000 feet. No word on trail conditions at this time.

It’s been snowing all week… areas of Lake Tahoe have reported as much as 8 feet of snow in the last 7 days. And just in time for the weekend… sunshine! Mostly sunny skies are expected over the Sierra Nevada this weekend.

Pack up the gear and head to mountains for waist deep POW. Conditions like this won’t last long. And if you miss it.. you might be waiting till next season.

Great news… a warm storm set packed with moisture has arrivred. As the storm progresses the temperatures are expected to drop a bit.

Currentlly light rain in South Lake Tahoe. There is a winter storm warning in effect from 10am - 4am Wednesday morning in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The winter storm warning is extended till 10am for Bear Valley and Mammoth.

Today’s Forecast:
Windy with rain and snow. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Snow level 6500 to 7000 feet. Snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches…with 6 to 12 inches above 7000 feet. Highs 39 to 49. South winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Ridge gusts up to 100 mph.

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According to an article I saw in USA Today,  Schwarzenegger Issues state of emergency…

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Friday because of three years of below-average rain and snowfall in California, a step that urges urban water agencies to reduce water use by 20%.

Looking back at water info dating back to 2006…

• 2006 was an above average year and saying it that is understatement. 2006 was huge which and left California with full reservoirs going into the 2007 winter season.
• 2007 was a pretty bad winter leaving California with something like 50% or less in some areas.
• 2008 wasn’t all that bad…  with 80% - 95%.
• 2009… some are estimating that California might end up with an 80% year.

Read more…

Posted yesterday in the SacBee

Last Piece purchased for South Fork American River Trail

The American River Conservancy has been fund raising for several years now for purchase land along the South Fork American to connect Coloma and Folsom Lake via a hiking / mtn biking trail.

This is great news that they have acquired the last piece of land and trail work to finish the final four miles is scheduled to begin in April of this year and be completed in 2010.

Excellent conditions statewide.  There is still more snow in the forecast today and tomorrow. Then a break for a couple days before the next major system sets. The next storm due in later this week will be a slightly warmer storm which will be great so we have some snow with more water content.  A rundown of current mountain conditions follows…

Alpine Meadows: 15″ - 20″ in the last 24hrs
Boreal Ridge: 13″ -20″ in the last 24hrs
Sugar Bowl: 11″-16″ in the last 24hrs
Northstar-at-Tahoe: 5″-8″ in the last 24 hrs
Squaw Valley: 6″-8″ overnight
Sierra-at-Tahoe: 10″ in the last 12 hrs
Kirkwood: 24″-28″ in the last 24hrs
Heavenly: 2″ in the last 12hrs
Bear Valley: 19″ in the last 12hrs
Mammoth: 27″ in the last 24hrs
Big Bear / Snow Summit: 18″ in the last 24 hrs
Mountain High: 16″-18″ in the last 24hrs

Drive safe, carry chains and be sure to check for highway closures via Cal-Trans.

Looking at the weather this weekend… I wish I was living in California right now because the conditions should be nothing short of awesome.

It is currently snowing with accumulations of 6-12 inches above 7000′ It is expected to be a bit windy.. about 10-20 miles an hour… upto to 65 mph gusts over the ridges. Later on tonight… cold and more snow.  Temps expected to drop to 2 below and 2 to 6 inches of some very dry, very fluffy powder!

There is a winter storm advisory until 6pm this evening.

Conditions for the next few days are all about the same… snow, but not quite as cold overnight.  Looking out even further, Weather.com has snow in the forecast through next Saturday.