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# Sierra Nevada Snow Depth Update: Crossing Conditions Improving 🏔️
- URL: https://www.hikingamerica.com/sierra-nevada-snow-update-may-2025/
- Published: 2025-05-26T14:50:51.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-26T14:50:51.000Z
- Description: Bottom line: Palisades Tahoe cleared to zero snow depth today, Mt. Rose should follow within 9 days. Water availability will be excellent this season.
- Author: John Wesley Brett
- Tags: California, Nevada, Utah

## Current Conditions ❄️

[**Palisades Tahoe**](https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/reportGenerator/view/customSingleStationReport/daily/784:ca:SNTL%7Cid=%22%22%7Cname/-7,0/WTEQ::value,WTEQ::delta,SNWD::value,SNWD::delta?ref=hikingamerica.com) hit ***zero inches* of snow today** (down from 5 inches yesterday) – marking the first fully clear reading since winter began! This is a major milestone, as Palisades is one of our two key Sierra snowpack monitors for ADT thru-hikers.

Meanwhile,[**Mt. Rose**](https://wcc.sc.egov.usda.gov/reportGenerator/view/customSingleStationReport/daily/652:nv:SNTL%7Cid=%22%22%7Cname/-7,0/WTEQ::value,WTEQ::delta,SNWD::value,SNWD::delta?ref=hikingamerica.com) is still sitting at 29 inches, but if current melt rates hold, we expect it to drop below 3 inches in the next 9 days or so – well within a normal late spring clearing timeline. 

[![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2025/05/Spring.jpg)](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vujcCEhGNZV0-NL04zxmQ-RKyqwboUhNg54tkqjujcE/edit?usp=sharing&ref=hikingamerica.com)

📍 **Source:* [**Hiking America - ADT Sierra Nevada Records - Spring*](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vujcCEhGNZV0-NL04zxmQ-RKyqwboUhNg54tkqjujcE/edit?usp=sharing&ref=hikingamerica.com)

## A Bit of Historical Context 📊

This year's Palisades opening is:

- Later than 5 of the last 6 years
- Just 1 day earlier than the 15-year average
- 3 days earlier than the 10-year average
- 2 days later than the 5-year average

🔎 **What that means:** It might *feel* like a late start thanks to recent mild winters, but in the grand scheme? This is actually **right on track** for long-term Sierra patterns.

## Water Outlook 💧

Thanks to a solid (but melting!) snowpack, water availability looks promising for the months ahead. Eastbound hikers can expect good water sources through:

- The Sierra Nevada 🏔️
- Nevada’s arid basin regions 🏜️
- The Utah desert stretches 🌵

This should *greatly* simplify water logistics through areas that are usually tricky, especially for early summer hikers!

---

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/0f/28/0f286572-aa37-49a3-8704-f6d42aa3a69a/content/images/2025/05/copper-1.jpg)

## Colorado Update 🏔️

[**Copper Mountain**](https://nwcc-apps.sc.egov.usda.gov/awdb/site-plots/POR/SNWD/CO/Copper%20Mountain.html?state=CO&ref=hikingamerica.com) is currently showing 11 inches of snow, giving us an early read on conditions at **Argentine Pass** (13,207 ft – the highest point on the ADT).   
Based on recent melt trends, we’re projecting it should be **foot-passable by June 2**—though, as always, microspikes and flexibility are your friends at altitude.

**Planning Tips for Eastbounders 🗺️**

If you’re heading out from Limantour Beach soon:

✅ The Sierra window is opening on schedule  
✅ Expect classic late-May to early-June conditions  
✅ Water should be flowing in all the right places

⚠️ **Final reminder:** Always check current trail and weather updates before attempting high-elevation crossings. 

Mother Nature loves surprises—even in a “normal” year!

### Hike Your Hike - John.

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