I’m taking a poll here-
Curious to know date when past thruhikers reached the Sierras and what trail conditions were like then (ie how much snow, how many fords, general extent to which trail was passable, etc).
I know climate info is highly variable with the season, but a collection of reports will at least give some kind of reference for recent conditions. Plan on making the hike through in 2008.
Thanks in advance to anyone wishing to reply.
mainesail
Conditions are best assessed on a year - to - year basis. So far, f’rinstance, this has been a quiet year for snow. If the season is static from here on out, you’d be OK starting the high Sierra parts earlier. But if we get blasts coming in late winter or early spring, as is entirely possible, it’ll delay the time frame. I couldn’t get to Sonora Peak until August last year, but then I’m in a chair. Keep a close watch, it can change, literally, in a week’s time.
4wheelbob
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the snowiest months statistically are February and March, with snow levels generally peaking some time around April 1, so still a long way to go. Don’t make any concrete plans for a start date yet, just keep an eye on the pctpostholer.
deputy
A big group left June 14th this past super snowy 2006 season and we all had a blast. It was challenging but amazingly rewarding. I am sure you would be fine with the right attitude and a group of people all travelling together and sharing skills and knowledge and advice and inspiration and the occassional outburst of applause. Random applause is great for the spirit.
Hi 4wheelbob, I met you at Sonora Pass with She-Ra, Trowler and Trout plus Pepi and Jack. Who else? I don’t remember. Anyway, you rule. You are my hero.
Have fun and don’t sweat the date. I worried and fretted and almost turned back and it ended up being easy! We did have a lot of snow bridges, but the fords were strong and challenging but doable if you scouted a bit. I loved walking on the snow because it was hard and soft at the same time. No post-holing really, except every now and then, and not sheer ice. Granular on top. Most of the footprints available to follow were thruhikers ahead that we knew and trusted. So it was not virgin snow… It was easy to sort of glide, so instead of walking sometimes you get to skate a bit. There were suncups in select locations but they are fun. Only two thunderstorms- one on Muir Pass that I moved quickly down valley from, and a little baby one on Selden Pass and one giant explosion outside our canvas tent at VVR. I think you will like to aim for mid June no matter what season. That gives you enough time to have fun in the desert and enough time to finish by October 1st barring no mishaps.
nemo
I can ditto what Nemo said, she went in a few days before I did.
I remember hearing all sorts of stuff about the snow in the Sierra’s last year, mostly from a bunch of people that didn’t know what they were talking about. One trail angel basically told us all that we were stupid for going in on the 17th. We heard reports of people going in, postholing for miles and then turning around. There was much anxiety and trepidation in KM. And then…it was great! Basically from Whitney to Dicks Pass, whenver we got above a certain altitude, there was near total snow cover. We plowed through it, made snowmen, postholed a bit, kicked steps up passes, glissaded down them and had a hell of a time. Yes, it was exhausting, but well worth it.
The creeks were a bit sketchy at times. The combination of fast moving, ice cold water and slippery round boulders can be unnerving at times, but it’s all part of the experience. Just remember to have respect for what you’re doing and you should be fine.
Snail