San Juan Snow Conditions - May Update
As we enter the month of May, the snowpack in the San Juan Mountains continues to be slightly below the historical average of 57" (current snowpack at the Red Mountain Snotel site is about 50"). The figure shows how much the current snowpack differs from 2023, 2019, and 2011 (which were banner snow years). On a positive note, there is considerably more snow that the dry years of 2002, 2012, and 2018. The snow conditions for Hardrock 2024 will depend on how warm the months of May and June are - with the prediction for a warm and dry late-spring, there could be minimal snow on the Hardrock course. Another note: the snow water equivalent (SWE) is about 19" which is well below the cutoff for discussion about possible snow-related cancelation of the event. From the Snow Conditions page: "At any time before June 1 of each year that the SWE is equal to or less than 23", the green light is on for that year." Looking ahead to the summer months, the El Nino condition (which provided the San Juans with a decent amount of moisture this winter) is transitioning to a La Nina scenario with the jet stream (and storm tracks) shifting northward. The southwest, including the San Juans, will likely have warmer and drier weather. How much warmer and drier remains to be seen.
Tommyknocker Tales - May 2024
Check out RD Dale's monthly missive for this year's runners!
Media Guide 2024
The Media Guide for Hardrock 2024 has been posted.
CONGRATULATIONS to 2023's Joel Zucker Memorial Scholarship winners!
The Joel Zucker Memorial Scholarship is proud to announce this year’s twelve deserving recipients from Silverton and Lake City, awarding a record $43,000 for 2023.
Full Press Release
High School Graduates:
- Jinx Citrine - Silverton HS
- Paton Edwards - Silverton HS
- Selene Rhoades - Silverton HS
- Kharis Weller - Silverton HS
- Katelyn Cunningham - Lake City HS
- Jaden McNeese - Lake City HS
Continuing Education:
- Daniela Acosta
- Raja Braford-Lefebvre
- Claire Cunningham
- Emelie deKay
- Jaydyn Gallegos
- Ian Hall
- Bennett Levine
- Belen Roof
- Caroline Thompson
- Molly Wright
Now in it’s 24th year, we have awarded 138 scholarships totaling $288,550 to San Juan Mountain community students in memory of Joel Zucker from New York state who died 36 hours after completing his third Hardrock Hundred run in 1998. Joel loved Silverton, the mountains, and especially long-distance running. He was a university librarian and the Hardrock Hundred community created this award to honor his memory.
Donations are Appreciated!
Hardrock 100 At a Glance
100-mile run with 33,197 feet of climb and 33,197 feet of descent for a total elevation change of 66,394 feet with an average elevation of 11,186 feet - low point 7,680 feet (Ouray) and high point 14,048 feet (Handies Peak).
All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.
