Aloha Everyone,
My husband had a change of heart and decided to go with me on my JMT hike.
Only he cannot get time off of work next year in July/August '07 when I was planning to go.
Its now or never!
So we will be going this year apxo Sept 28 thru October.
Any help about the trail at this time of year would be greatly appreciated.
We will be heading North out of Yosemite to Mt Whitney.
AlohaTink
I was going to go North.
okay we are going SOUTH to Mt Whitney
Is anything open still?
I have been online and not getting much answers.
Thanks again for any info in advance.
AlohaTink
I hiked the JMT southbound last September 6-19. On the night of the day we finished, it snowed heavily at the summit of Whitney (and below); summit was no longer accessible to regularly-equipped hikers after that time for the season, to the best of my knowledge.
Shelly Culbertson
It can snow on the JMT in any month. I had snow in August one year. The snow from early season storms like the one Shelly experienced don’t usually close the mountains for the winter … often things will melt out after a few days or longer. But even so, getting caught in a storm would not be fun. Early season snow is much more difficult to travel over than the consolidated snow that is in the mountains now. Postholing your way through miles of fresh powder would not be fun. Of course, the weather could turn out beautiful, and when the weather cooperates, fall hiking is great!
As far as services go, the Tuolumne Meadows store will almost certainly be closed. You can e-mail Red’s Meadow, VVR and Muir Trail Ranch for estimated closing dates, but I think Red’s usually closes at the end of September or early October. Not sure on VVR and Muir Trail Ranch. Websites are: www.redsmeadow.com www.edisonlake.com and www.muirtrailranch.com
Kanga
I hiked south on the PCT through the JMT area from about Sept 15 to Oct 1 last year. There were a couple of early storms, as Shelly said. However, as Kanga mentioned, the snow from these storms (the ones that I saw, at least) did melt out in a few days.
I was at Crabtree Meadows around September 27 last year. We got 4-5 inches of snow there, and other hikers who attempted to summit Whitney that day and the next turned around because of deeper snow above Guitar Lake.
But other hikers that I know DID summit Whitney later in the season (in the Oct 3-9 range, with no special equipment), and seemed to have no problem with it. I went up Whitney from the Whitney Portal side in early October, and the trail down to Guitar Lake looked perfectly fine. Two hikers that I know of summitted Whitney from the Guitar Lake side that day with no trouble.
So, it just depends. If I were to hike in the Sierras in mid-October, I would be prepared to get snowed on. I would also prepare for the possibility that the snow might slow me down considerably or prevent me from (or at least, delay) going up Whitney.
2005 PCT Hiker
Weather in the Sierra in late Sep/early Oct is completely unpredictable. Clear skies, rain, snow, hail - all are possible. I’d plan on cold wet conditions but not worry about crampons or an ice axe. A little planning - and the willingness to turn around if necessary - will give you escape options if the passes get nasty.
booger
Definitely plan for wet and/or snowy conditions, and then hope for the best:) You’ll want rain gear, warm clothes, extra food, good maps and a compass. You won’t need crampons or an ice axe because they only help with ice and/or frozen snow, not fresh snow. And study your maps and/or guidebook ahead of time to get to know all the side trails so you know the best way out if the weather turns on you.
Kanga
Thank you everyone…I was afraid of this.
Well at least he is willing to hike with me
so I will just see how far we get:D
I do have bail out trails all mark…Thank you Clark Fork for sending me those.
This is the only time he can get off of work till next year and again it is always late Sept. So we are going, and I am off to order my base layer of clothing from lightweight to heavy!! Also better rain gear in think is in order.
Who knows with the late heavy snow still around at higher levels…maybe Oct will still be nice. Hikers are such postive thinkers! :cheers
At least I will have more insight about the trail for next year. I am certain he was hoping I would NOT do it solo
if I get to go now…hee hee :rolleyes
Thanks again everyone
AlohaTink
AlohaTink:
e-mail me privately. I also have some Word document attachments for you that will help with your trip.
Good Luck…
Clark Fork in Western Montana “Where Seldom is Heard A Discouraging Word.”
Clark Fork
