JMT in october- november?

imported
#1

I am going to the JMT in october- noveber. Is it to cold in this time?
what about the snow?

guy…

guy reshef

#2

i hiked the rae lakes loop in mid/late october last year, which joins with the PCT and JMT for a while and up over glen pass.

we finished and drove home to find that several days afterward, there was a sudden blizzard with 3 feet of snow dumped around 10,000’. several people were stranded and had to be air-lifted from the area. and you may recall several climbers and backpackers dying in yosemite from the same storm.

from what i understand, the sierra can slip into full-on winter pretty quickly and suddenly, so be advised. it sounds kind of late to me.

studiofluid

#3

It is pretty late. You might get through with just cold to deal with, or you could get dumped on. One consideration - there are likely to be no services anywhere along the way - Muir Trail Ranch will be closed, probably Vermillion will be too, and Tioga Pass Road will close if there is snow. Remember that you are at elevation too - so it will be really cold. Days will be short (dark by 6:00) and water crossings will really be cold. No baths or swims in the lakes. That said, it’s possible, just keep in mind all the possible bail out points, just in case.

Ginny

#4

The services at Tuolumne usually close by mid-October (and sometimes late September), but the road will stay open to drive through (no overnight parking) until they close it due to snow. You should expect some snow, although it won’t necessarily stick. Like the other posters have said, you should be prepared for cold, possible snow and closed services along the way. But if you are prepared, it is definitely possible and it would probably be an incredible wilderness experience.

Kanga