There’s an Associated Press article in yesterday’s local paper. They say 61 feet of snow has fallen in the central Sierra this year, second only to 65 feet in 1950-1951. I don’t know how this translates into snow on the ground for thru-hikers this summer, but I’m guessing you don’t want to be in any hurry to get to, or depart, Kennedy Meadows this year.
bowlegs
The doom and gloom has begun!!! Everyone thought the Sierras were impassable last year, but many got through in early-mid June. It takes a little longer, but don’t hesitate if you want to hike the whole trail in one summer. Bring your ice axe, sunglasses, maybe some microspikes, and beast mode it. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
The creek crossing will be the most of your worries. Don’t let an ego get the best of you, if you’re near another hiker or two, latch arms to get across. (This one is for Duff) Or find a better way; where the trail crosses isn’t always the better route.
You can do it!!!
Not a Chance
T’ain’t just a matter of slogging through miles of snow. The trail north of Cottonwood offers some of the most spectacular scenery and side-trail opportunities you’ll encounter. Hours of postholing tends to make the appreciation factor really low.
Booger
You’ll hate it while you are doing it but you will love it after you are done.
I did it last summer in early june when everything was “impassable.” If you have poles and microspikes you could almost leave the axe at home but it’s a small price to pay considering you life is on the other end.
Mr. B
“You’ll hate it while you are doing it but you will love it after you are done.”
This is also what some religions promise. But like life, thru-hiking doesn’t actually have to be that way. You have to consciously will yourself to savor every moment you’re on the path. Don’t expect to just walk it and automatically reap the benefits.
tron
snowy sierras in june is about as good as it gets, amazingly beautiful, don’t force it.
joe
Ahhh yes. To be fair, snow levels are higher this year than last, HOWEVER, you can still enjoy the trail and have fun with it. I left Kennedy Meadows last year on June 4th. Everything was covered with snow, so it really wouldn’t have mattered if there was more. The biggest problems I ran into weren’t in the high Sierra, but north of Tuolumne when you start getting more into the wooded forests and you can’t see the passes you are trying to navigate. With that said, basic knowledge of map-and-compass orienteering and knowing how to take bearings is a big help. You may get lost a few times, but don’t panic and don’t try to rush it. It’s ok to get creative too.
take the fords slowly as well, and make use of alternate fording locations. When in doubt, you can always float across on your thermarest (not that I am speaking form experience or anything cough)
anyhoo. Should be a great year. Good luck class of 2011 and have a blast! I know I did.
lakewood
Impassable is a state of mind, not a physical condition, at least as it applies to the high Sierra in mid June, even in high snow conditions.
Booger - you only post hole if you’re timing is off. The valley bottoms will be snow free. The trick is to get up and over the passes while it’s still firm enough.
B - It depends on ones attitude ("hating it while you’re doing it). Joe & NAC get it.
Embrace the conditions - it’s spectacular. Endless snow from Muir Pass - it’s an amazing sight to behold. The steep traversing climb up Mather - you are ALIVE while doing it. Wading across Evolution Creek in the meadow - with the water lapping at the edge of the trail, for over 100 yards…cold as all get out, but it’s SWEET when you get to the other side. The 500 vertical foot glissades coming down from Forrester Pass - wow.
And better still - no bugs.
Enjoy Class of 2011. The memories and pictures and video will be priceless. Those who do it will understand.
Token Civilian
This year, like last, hikers will find out how much fun snow is long before they get to the Sierra, I think. Minus the creek crossings. I’m assuming there’s at least as much snow in SoCal as there was last year, maybe more?
Heading up above Idyllwild, San Gorgonio area, and more, likely to present initial opportunities to test your ‘everything is beautiful’ frame of mind.
Just for the malicious fun of it, I’m going to predict an enthusiastic but overmatched thru meets a bad end this year.
Al H.
Well put.
I would strongly discourage flip-flopping; 2005 was a big snow year and navigating the snowy Sierra was an adventure and highlight. The weather is gentle in July. Just be smart about avoiding transitional zones during the afternoon to avoid chronic postholing.
Put your smile on and point it north.
I do highly recommend the Camp 6-point SUPER lightweight but legit crampons for everyone this year. They are much more practical and routinely helpful than an ice axe (also important, but for safety, not progress; Camp makes a nice one of those too). Anyway, the crampons make early-morning skipping across the suncup chasms a pleasure.
The Sierra granite cloaks itself in white beauty and cies rivers of joy with a deep snowpack. Just do it. Love it.
Hans Berg
There is wide variation among PCT hikers in skill-level, experience, and physical capabilities. What is an exciting challenge for one hiker may be a foolish risk for another. Each person needs to use their own judgement when decided whether to take on the Sierra snow.
Due to this range of abilities, it is very difficult to get meaningful information about the state of the trail ahead of you, even from people who have already hiked it. One person will tell you that it was a piece of cake, then the next person will tell you it was the scariest thing they have done in their life . . . . and they are BOTH telling you the truth, from their point of view.
Navagating in snow below the treeline is fiendishly difficult, as Lakewood points out. And if the heavy snow this year extends up through northern CA and Oregon, there are plenty of intimidating traverses to be had north of the Sierra. Which is to say, avoiding the Sierra in late June may not make your life much easier, and might make it harder.
If you DO expect to encounter a lot of snow below the treeline on your chosen itinerary, consider getting a Garmin Oregon series GPS, and loading it with the PCT track files that Halfmile has posted on his web site (along with hi-resolution maps for CA, OR, and WA). Getting the maps and tracks properly loaded into the unit was a royal pain, but once we got the GPS properly configured, it was an absolute godsend when the trail was snowbound and tree or cloud cover made it impossible to take bearings.
Sheepdog
My initial post here was not to scare off anyone from thru hiking this year. It was meant to get exactly what happened here – lots of very useful and practical suggestions for succesfully hiking over snow covered trails. Thanks for all your input.
bowlegs
I’m planning on departing May 25 from Happy Isle. Planing on bringing ice axe and hiking poles. How important are the micro spikes? I’ve done the JMT, so I’m familiar with the trail. However, I’m a little concerned about postholing. Carrying 6 days of food out of YV puts my carry weight at 45-47. Should I bring snow shoes? Can I prevent postholing by starting at 4 or 5 AM? Is it hours or days of postholing? Hr. here or there is OK, but 5-6 hrs every day would get a little old. Thank you.
JET