[Rockhounds] Idaho metamorphic trip and glaciers

[Lanny R]

Hi all,

Here I sit indoors looking out at the mounds of snow and the rough  
white strip in front of the house that is supposed to be a street and  
can't help but wonder when the snow will be off the St.Joe-Clearwater  
divide so we can make the planned field trip into the metamorphics of  
northern Idaho. Maybe it won't be until August.

Difficult to say though. Whereas we have over 200% of the average  
snowfall of 60 inches in Coeur d'Alene this winter, they say the high  
mountains have only 109% of average. Northern Idaho and Eastern  
Washington have been a mess with a lot of the snow coming down in the  
past two weeks making roads and highways a challenge to drive. A lot  
of highways have been closed the past few days because of drifting  
snow. It's finally thawing some, so maybe the end of the snowfall is  
getting near.

John and Julie, how are you doing in Santa? Buried?

On average winters the snow is usually cleared off the divide by July,  
but if spring and summer are cool, there are sometimes a few snowbanks  
blocking roads until September.

Just thought I would ramble a little this morning, the list is nearly  
asleep. Keep the field trip in mind, perhaps the thought of searching  
for those garnets, kyanite and staurolite crystals will help spring  
and summer get here sooner.

Regards,

Lanny