Any opinions on possibly starting the JMT(SB) in late Sept.? I’m trying to line up a CDT NB this spring, but would like to have an alternate plan if it falls through. I was thinking about a SB JMT w/ my girlfriend who hasn’t done too much hiking before. The days would be low mileage, max 15 miles per day. Is it possible to finish around mid Oct. (weather-wise)? When does the window close in the sierras? Any successful late JMT SB’s out there?
Tiki
Generally the Sierras are fine until mid/late October but every year is different. It always seems as if there is one small early storm in October that gets all the skiers excited about snow, then the real stuff doesn’t hit until late November or December. So you should be fine, but be prepared to bail out if you have to. Is this the same Tiki from North Carolina who hiked the PCT in '07? I think I met you at Long Canyon, just a few miles before Mt. Laguna. I was hiking south to the Kickoff.
Ducky
We started our JMT SB hike on Sept 14th 08. We did hit some thunder storms & snow flurries at Forrester Pass, but overall the weather was just great plenty of water & no bugs. If your going to resupply @ VVR be sure to check there closing date. We finished on Oct 2nd.
Unbreakable & No Trace
I hiked the JMT SOBO in late September/early October (finishing on Whitney Oct. 9th) in '05. It was absolutely awesome - daytime temps in the 60’s and sometimes low 70’s and night temps just below freezing; very few people; NO BUGS; no Rangers; Aspen turning gold; etc. There was a light snowstorm the third week of September (before I started the JMT) which capped all the peaks with a touch of white. The only difficulty was descending the switchbacks on the east side heading down to Whitney Portal - they were covered in ice. That was the only spot where I wished I had my ice-axe with me. (you might consider carrying one)
I talked with every local that I met & all of them said the same thing - your generally good to go weather wise until mid October. An old horse packer that I met in Pate Valley/Grand Canyon of Tuolumne (before I hit the JMT) told me that in the past half century he never saw a major snowstorm (more than a foot) before October 15th.
I have hiked the JMT NOBO in early June in tons of snow and SOBO in the Fall as related above & if I were to do it again I would without a doubt hike it in the Fall again. Even though a heavy snow pack makes the Sierra’s incredibly beautiful, snow travel is tough & the bugs were terrible.
Happy Trails!
freebird
Thanks Freebird, Unbreakable & No Trace, & Ducky for your input. Sounds like it’s certainly possible and a good time to be walking in the high sierras.
ps- Hi Ducky, Hope you’ve been able to log many positive miles since I last saw you.
pss- Freebird, I think I may have met you at the 07 kick off. Did you hike the PCT in 06?
Tiki
Nope, '05 & '97
If your on the CDT this year, I hope to meet you at some point on the Trail.
Cheers
freebird
I did it in 2008, starting day after Labor Day. We had 7 nights below freezing. It was icy cold and windy on Whitney. In 2004, we did it at the same time, and had only one night below freezing, just below Muir Pass. No snow either time. Recommend a 20 degree bag.
cog