How's it looking in CO unit 61?
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Winter kill on the Uncompaghre?
- Thread starter BigPig
- Start date
D
DougW
Guest
BigPig-
not sure exactly about reports on the plateau (I'll see if I can find a snotel up there) but I'll tell you this:
In my 25 years of skiing in Colorado, this is the most snow. And it's everywhere west of the divide, huge in the south, very impressive in the north. That's what's so unique about this year.
There will be a bit of a wx break, esp. in the south, from now thru the weekend (although more snow next 2 days in the north), then everyone slides back into snow by Monday
Doug
not sure exactly about reports on the plateau (I'll see if I can find a snotel up there) but I'll tell you this:
In my 25 years of skiing in Colorado, this is the most snow. And it's everywhere west of the divide, huge in the south, very impressive in the north. That's what's so unique about this year.
There will be a bit of a wx break, esp. in the south, from now thru the weekend (although more snow next 2 days in the north), then everyone slides back into snow by Monday
Doug
There is a bunch of the white stuff down there, but there is a lot of lower country in the surrounding area, which I would imagine a large portion of the critters take advantage of. The animals there don't suffer the same problem as the Gunnison Basin, where the winter range is isolated and subject to more severe weather conditions. That said, however, the winter down there is severe and there are animals on the Uncompaghre that have never seen snow like this. It's likely a few critters succumb to winter in search of food and new range, but that isn't too abnormal.
D
DougW
Guest
BigPig:
As of today, the Gunnison river drainage and the Animas, San Juan, Dolores, and San Miguel drainages are running 150-165% snowpack. If I have my geography right the Uncompaghre splits the Gunnison and one of those other drainages. The snotels are located above the wintering grounds, but as cold as it's been this data likely indicates deep snow at lower elevations also.
Basically, these are very high numbers, and with an average precip. amount in spring, flooding is likely unless the melt occurs very slowly (ie. a cold late spring/early summer).
Best to get eyewitness reports but these numbers rank right up there historically with high winter kill years.
As of today, the Gunnison river drainage and the Animas, San Juan, Dolores, and San Miguel drainages are running 150-165% snowpack. If I have my geography right the Uncompaghre splits the Gunnison and one of those other drainages. The snotels are located above the wintering grounds, but as cold as it's been this data likely indicates deep snow at lower elevations also.
Basically, these are very high numbers, and with an average precip. amount in spring, flooding is likely unless the melt occurs very slowly (ie. a cold late spring/early summer).
Best to get eyewitness reports but these numbers rank right up there historically with high winter kill years.
Uncompaghre-More snow than usual but they should pull through fine since there is more lower elevation available.
Gunnison- Looks bleak especially for younger and older class animals. May be decent hunting for another year or so then a whole year class of bucks that do not make it will make hunting real difficult two to three years from now.
Paonia- Elk are pushing the deer from available habitat. Deer are hanging around the roads getting whacked by vehicles. Outlook questionable.
Grand Mesa- Animals are 3-5 miles lower than last year but have habitat to make it through.
San Juans- Hit and miss. Animals that have access to lower elevations on the Western side may pull through. Valley area migrators locked in by the mountains it looks bleak.
Just my viewpoint since I live here on the West Slope.
Pray for the best.
Jerry
Gunnison- Looks bleak especially for younger and older class animals. May be decent hunting for another year or so then a whole year class of bucks that do not make it will make hunting real difficult two to three years from now.
Paonia- Elk are pushing the deer from available habitat. Deer are hanging around the roads getting whacked by vehicles. Outlook questionable.
Grand Mesa- Animals are 3-5 miles lower than last year but have habitat to make it through.
San Juans- Hit and miss. Animals that have access to lower elevations on the Western side may pull through. Valley area migrators locked in by the mountains it looks bleak.
Just my viewpoint since I live here on the West Slope.
Pray for the best.
Jerry
