Hey everyone,
I would like to introduce my boyfriend to the PCT, and we’ve got June 1 to June 15 available. We’d like to hike from Tuolomne north, but I think there’ll be too much snow there at that time.
Any recommendations for a good section hike in early June? One that won’t have too many problems with snow?
Thanks!
Sophie
Sophie
My best suggestion would be to hike from Mt. Whitney to Springer Mountain. I know that might seem like a long ways but it can be accomplished in a couple weeks. Good luck on your trip!
Brett
The Northern part of Yosemite might not be a problem, but as you come down to the next highway, was a hairy snow slope even in late July… traversing it was hell, until I decided to slide down to a shelf 10m or so below trail… lost my ice axe brake on way down, but luckily came to a stop on the gravelly shelf, or I woulda been dead perhaps. Jmt would be crazy for a greeny of course… Maybe you could hike in circles around Yosemite (or Yellowstone) with lots of opportunities to camp & shower in the various park villages & see crazy neat stuff like hike up to waterfalls & Half Dome & hot springs & riverswims & restaurants… you would only have to carry a few days food & could finish up at Mono Lake (E) or the big trees(W)… a thru hike is better for those who be gung ho; although usually men are more gungho, so ???
gingerbreadman
I think the crazy snow slope was Sonora pass where I had to slide down to shelf that makes me wonder why wasn’t trail on that flat shelf in the first place?! PCT '93
PS> Maybe it is on that shelf now, or else global warming has made it a moot point… . PCTer’s?
gingerbreadman
If you want to avoid snow completely, probably best to hike some sections in SoCal. No matter where you go in the Sierras, you will still have snow at that time. It’s been a pretty good snow year, we’re even supposed to be getting some more today! If you want to stay in the Sierras, you could probably do Carson Pass (Hwy 88) to Donner Pass (Hwy 80). There will still be snow (especially the north side of Dicks Pass) but it should be manageable.
ducky
How about Walker Pass to Cottonwood Pass (exiting out to Lone Pine)? That would be roughly 100 miles. (Approx. 650-750, I think.) Would put you in with some thru-hikers. Don’t know much about the logistics of getting to the start point.
Al H.
I would go with Tehachapi to Walker Pass. This year there should still be a few natural water sources flowing and it gives you a taste of a lot of different ecology and hiking.
Great views over the Mojave and you get a little feel for the very start of the Sierras. Bonus is you will get a few of the thru-hikers to gawk at!
Robocop
Awesome, thanks for the help! 
Tehachapi to Walker Pass sounds pretty great, actually…
Maybe I can just continue walking north (he’s got to come back for work).
Sophie
The first day or so north of Tehachapi is nice, but i think you’ll get an overall more beautiful section if you start from Walker Pass and hike north. You’ll still have several days of no snow, it will get gradually higher and prettier as you go along, Kennedy Meadows will be a nice experience as a halfway break, and there are many places to bail out of the mountains once you run out of time or hit snow. Go north, young (wo)man!
markv