Caps Ridge w/50+MPH Winds????

[walker]

..OK
..It's Friday Afternoon (5PM)
..I'm thinking about Caps Ridge Up Jefferson On Saturday.
..Forecast calls for 25-40 with gust to 50+.
QUESTION.....Should I be nervous about this trail with that amount of air moving past me???
Thanks Walker

 

[dentonfabrics]

On the Caps Ridge Trail? Yup, 50 mph winds would give me pause for concern.
Not too many soft places to land on that trail.

 

[rocket21]

There also aren't many places to get out of the wind once you're at the Caps. I'd be concerned with the precip forecasted overnight - if it indeed gets below freezing, the wind may cover the upper parts of that trail in black ice...considering the upper part is all rock, that doesn't sound like much fun!

 

[Quietman]

My sons and I did this 2 weeks ago on a beautiful sunny day. 10 Years ago it was 40 degrees and 40mph winds in the fog, we made it to the Cornice trail junction and turned back. Have to agree if there is a chance of black ice, I'd be very leary, or at least willing to turn around at the 1st cap.

From the observatory forecast:

The winds and cold temperatures will provide some cool fall like wind chills. Wind chills will be 15-30 degrees above 0 tonight and 10-25 degrees above 0 tomorrow. Anyone planning on traveling to higher summits, regardless of their means of transportation should be aware that surrounding valleys will be in the 60s while the higher terrain will be nearing the freezing mark with much lower wind chills, so travel prepared.

 

[walker]

I Guess It's Onto Plan "B"

High winds......Possible Ice on the rocks, no protection from a NW wind....

Onto Plan "B"...

Mt Isolation...Coming up the west side of the notch should protect me somewhat from NW winds.....No ledges with ice to fall off of.......great views on a clear, dry day.....

I AM OUT OF HERE......

Flume Side 2 weeks ago.....Wildcat Ridge Last week-end...I need a somewhat flat trail..... Thanks...Walker

 

[Quietman]

Sounds like a better plan. i haven't hit Isolation yet but sounds like a good choice for tomorrow. Enjoy the VFFT!!!

 

[marchowes]

good choice to avoid that. Conditions above tree line on saturday were absolutely dreadful.

 

[Bob Kittredge]

I led an AMC hike up Caps Ridge on Saturday figuring we'd probably go as far as treeline and call it a day. Indeed, the chilly wind and rain were no fun. While those can be dealt with given sufficient equipment, the thought of eventually having to go down those slippery, steep rock scrambles was what decided it for me.

 

[jjo]

That is a great hike and trail but not under those conditions IMHO....

 

[Grayjay]

Up Caps Ridge Monday. Beautiful day, and no sign of any ice on Washington or anywhere else. Rain must have dominated. Many people on CR trail that day, maybe 40 thoughout the day.