Central CA section late June?

imported
#1

I’m planning to hike up from Hetch-Hetchy to Tuolumne Meadows to Sierra City, leaving June 18th or 19th. Anybody have any ideas about snow and river conditions then?

Lauren

#2

It’s a pretty safe guess that it will be passable but difficult, with plenty of snow above oh around 8000-9000 feet.

The bright side would be you’d have chance of beating the mosquito hatch, and it could be VERY beautiful with only a few other hikers. Take me with you.

markv

#3

I’ve hiked many years in northern Yosemite and Kings Canyon during father’s day weekend. You’ll be fine, just don’t cross passes when they are icy (morning) afternoons will be great. My hikes were pretty snow free, depends on temps between now and then.

Brett

#4

I’m curious Brett, in northern Yosemite did you find yourself in the middle of mosquito season that time of year? When i went through was late June of 08 (moderately low snow year) with biblical mosquitos everywhere, and i’ve thought since then i’d like to go back when i could avoid them. I know September or October would be one possible time to do that. But if one wanted to go early, how early would one have to go to beat the bugs?

markv

#5

Northern Yosemite can often be flooded in places early in the season. The biggest concern would be the ford at Kerrick Creek which can be deep in early season. You’ll have to deal with hiking on snow in the higher elevations given how deep it is this year. Sonora Pass should be interesting but doable (there is a lower alternative route).

If you take the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, the waterfalls should be spectacular though a few places may involve rock scrambling as the trail may be underwater in a few short places (I’ve done this route in May before).

Miner

#6

The mosquitoes were god awful! I remember Wilmer lake and Smedberg lake being pretty bad. Benson lake was heaven!

Brett

#7

They just got another 1 1/2 feet of snow at Tahoe earlier this week and more is forecast for next week. As stated above, Sonora Pass can be difficult. Be careful and have fun!

Robocop