The ascent to Snow Mountain is still one of our favorites. Since we first charted it we have done it three times, the last this early June. We have now stayed in all three campsites, all offering their own particular charm. On the initial charting trip we stayed at Crockett, the very secluded site pictured on the launch page with its beautiful stand of wallflowers and from which begins the trailhead into the wilderness proper. Two years ago we stayed at Lower Nye Camp. With its deeply gorged stream running year round, its large flat open space and symphony of song birds Lower Nye probably ranks as our favorite (it is the first to be encountered on the M3 ascent. It is not signed, but hard to miss). This trip we stayed at Windy Point, the last to be encountered on this stretch of the M3. Though it seems less favored as a habitat by birds, it offers a nice view through the trees of the Central Valley to be enjoyed particularly at night when one can see the lights of its towns in the far distance. It can, however, live up to its name and did the night we stayed when unsettled weather brought a late heavy wind-driven mist/drizzle. Still, our fire burned brightly and we had a wonderful evening. Fire permits from the forest service are required.

The winter of 09/10 was unusually wet in Northern California. Crossing the first two creek fords at this time of year saw water up to our doors, this with standard four-wheel drive lift. These conditions will probably persist through the month of June as snow was still quite easy to find at the highest elevations. Due to late rains, we expect traces of snow to be present well into July. Note: we think an El Nino condition is currently setting up, which means these conditions may well be the same or more so next year. Gauge your plans accordingly.

Sadly, due to forest service budget contrains, road difficulty rankings should probably be bumped up half a notch. Little or no road service has been performed. In fact, we seemed to have beaten the full-on fallen tree clearing team this year. One saw-through of a fall of considerable girth had been performed for emergency purposes, but any number of small falls had not yet been cleared. On the eastern M3 descent one double fall had us performing a pretty tight squeeze. Where tire rutting is notated on our chart, sadly, it had gotten worse. One instance, the worst, approimately halfway through the M3 ascent may now preclude two-wheel drive. Some skill will be required. Beware. This is a very short area of unaddressed latitudinal gullying that only a piped culvert will remedy. Where overgrowth was initially present (possibly uncharted) it has become more overgrown. Throughout this adventure, this general condition is very rare, however.

Lastly, due to inclimate weather, we did not retravel the descent over Black Diamond Ridge. This section of the trip always represented the most challenging conditions. Based on the above information, more than likely it has become more so. Should the traveler wish to skip this section of the charted adventure, a very easy descent continuing on Road Category #2 conditons can be had by following the M3 to the first major intersection, then turning right (it is well-signed). This is County Road 308 which descends into the inner valley near the town of Elk Creek, approximately 10 miles north of the town of Stonyford, our original debarkation point.