The trail to glacier basin is mostly snow free with a few patches of stubborn snow the final mile. Above glacier basin there are various boot packs up the inter glacier to Camp Curtis. The Inter Glacier still has decent snow coverage from the winter on 6/22, however the surface condition has become very sun cupped and would be highly challenging to navigate on skis. There are a few open moats around the various nunataks, but no open crevasses were observed. Rangers have observed a variety of strategies that parties take to access camp Schurman from the Inter Glacier. Pertinent notes for navigating this portion would include staying clear of overhead hazard from rocks and navigating through broken glaciated terrain.
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| Emmons Glacier below camp 6/22/25 |
Although there is a well-established boot pack on a majority of the route climbers are encouraged to evaluate changing conditions and deteriorating snow bridges and make their own decisions on the best/safest path when necessary. There are a few points on the route where the well-trodden "path" crosses a marginal snow bridge. Safer crossings can be found by looking around to a less traveled area where a more robust bridge can be utilized or a crevasse can be end run.
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| Crevasse at 12,400' 6/22/25 |
We are still seeing independent climbers bringing skis to the upper mountain on the Emmons - when we talked with these parties on the route and back at Schurman many skiers used terms such as "bad skiing", "rugged", and "highly variable" when describing their descent. Many also reported carrying their equipment back down the mountain a distance before reaching a point they wanted to ski/board from. Further, rangers repeatedly observed riders get off their intended descent route at ~12,000ft landing them well above the corridor in broken and crevassed terrain.
While we are almost into July here in the park weather is ever dynamic, always consult weather in the planning phase as well as your climb. Weather resources can be found here.
