Entering the sierras late? is it ok?

imported
#1

entering the sierras later than June 15 is ok right? are there any problems with entering say in very late june? it might be better right? ok

cheeserTOM

#2

The only issue is whether you intend to continue to Manning Park. If you’re thruhiking, you’ll have to hurry to get to the border before winter sets in.

Ginny

#3

You should consider doing a flop instead. You’ll avoid the dangerous fords, the bugs,and the slippery transverses that could possibly cause a major injury. I had started way to early in 06 to avoid the heat in Southern Cali, but was awaken by the snow on the three divides plus i got caught in a big storm. which i was not prepared for…So i flopped up to BC, there’s no rush going SB…well maybe, be out of the High S’s no later than Oct…
Thats my .02

JJ

#4

A week or 2 delay after the infamous Ray Day June 15th should not impact your ability to finish a continuous through hike as long as you don’t go overboard with the zero days.

June 15th is considered the average best time to enter to avoid the worse of the snow post holing and the high water levels of the melt off. People go both earlier and latter and have no trouble so its a matter of personal comfort level (though the difficulty depends on the snow levels of a given yaer).

But if you end up having do a Flip or Flop North due to a late start, I think it would be better to finish up in Oregon then in the Southern Sierras. I have been snowed on heavily in September in the Sierras.

Miner

#5

Entering later is better than entering sooner, assuming that you’re entering late not because of a slower overall pace. Otherwise, flip.

However, if you enter around, say, July 1, you’ll have better conditions, be warmer, and have an easier hike than those who come in earlier. You’ll also have more bugs and more people. I entered the Sierra on something like June 10 and finished on something like August 21. Push me back 3 weeks on both ends and I’d be in Manning around mid September.

I wouldn’t flip to Washington until July 1 or later, as we’re having a pretty good snow year up here.

Suge

#6

If you are thru-hiking and concerned about time and hiking pace and decide to do a flop, be informed that the Sierra is an absolute wonderland in September/October. Less people. Few, if any, bugs. And you could see the first fresh snowfall of the season in the first weeks of October. Sound enticing? If you are not thru-hiking and not concerned about time restraints, then there are no problems entering the Sierra later than the thru-hiking crowd.

Smack