Long Trail Snow Report

The Long Trail snow report is designed to aid hikers in determining the best time to head into the mountains based on snow conditions. Each hikers skill-set and comfort level with these conditions will differ.

The Long Trail snow report uses SNODAS modeled snow data and MODIS reflectivity data. SNODAS gives us a good idea about the quantity of frozen water sitting on the ground, denoted by SWE (Snow Water Equivalence) in inches. Coverage is often poorly represented by SNODAS where snow cover is thin. The 8 day MODIS data, without regard for quantity, shows us what areas were snow covered at some point over the last 8 days. Cloud cover and darkness adversely affects MODIS detection significantly, hence we use the 8 day as opposed to the single day coverage. This is the only combined MODIS/SNODAS LT snow map on the internet.

Snow page updates November 1st - July 28th

Trail snow is not snow pack. The Postholer snow page focuses on snow on or near the trail, at trail elevation, not on snow condtions thousands of feet lower/higher and miles away from the trail. Ski resort snow reports and snow pack charts are a very poor representation of trail snow conditions.

Free & Simple Trail App

SNODAS SWE, Entire Trail

Long Trail Snow Conditions, current SWE by mile

Long Trail
topographic maps

SNODAS/MODIS, LT Entire Trail

Long Trail Snow SNODAS/MODIS, Long Trail

View SNODAS and/or MODIS overlays on Postholer Google Map. Last SNODAS update was Jun 1, 2023. Last MODIS 8 day was May 17, 2023 to May 25, 2023. MODIS: No Data, Snow cover.

SNODAS SWE, LT Entire Trail

Long Trail Snow Conditions, current/extreme years

Long Trail Snow Conditions 2004 to current