Trip Report: Andrews Glacier, RMNP

Bluebird skies, and the last calendar day of winter call for a trip up to Andrews Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park. The snow at the Loch Vale and higher was perfect. I have in been The Gash (approach from the SNOTEL area up to Andrews Tarn) several times this season, and this is by far the best I have seen it. The drifts and slope angle always change from year to year. This year the slope angle is especially high which makes getting to the tarn a challenge. At the time of this writing [3.20.15] a fresh few inches of graupel covered a very firm and stable pack. It’s a bit early this year, but most of the snowpack directly below the tarn is firm. The concern in winter is of course the persistent slab, and there are frequent times leading in to the spring that wet slab problems arise on this approach.

The glacier itself was just perfect!