Snow Conditions

imported
#1

I just got back from the JMT and had a wonderful time. Before we left (August 1) we were warned about the snow and how navigation would be difficult. By the time we got there the water levels had gone down and the snow in the passes were not a problem. By the time you hit snow you could see the pass and at the other side we just followed the tracks down the snow field right to the trail. It was a piece of cake. The bugs were only a problem in a very few places and of course the weather was great.

Big B

#2

A very timely message as we are a group of 4 starting (sobo) from Tuolumne Meadows on Tues, Aug. 30 (exiting via Whitney ~ 9/15). We were just discussing the potential need for YakTrax or microspikes & sounds like definitely not by the time we start. We were also wondering about water crossings (as a couple of us are of “shorter” stature - 5’6ish). If anyone else has up-to-date reports, please respond.

trek-or

#3

Trek-or the water levels are going down fast. The few stream crossings we had to do were only mid thigh deep in the early AM when the level was a foot or two lower then the afternoon. This spring many bridges were washed away but the trail crews were hard at work and most had been repaired. We kept hearing about a bridge out after Thousand Island that caused a river crossing so dangerous that hikers were taking the PCT around the area. By the time we got there the bridge was repaired. If you go to VVR say hi to Liz the waitress. She was wonderful and a great help to me and my three companions. The showers at Reds Meadows campground are now closed but all they did is disconnect the pipe from the hot spring. It is still pouring out nice hot water and we just sat under the pipe and washed off. Have a great hike.

Big B

#4

Big B, out of curiosity, did you hear why or for how long the RM campground showers are closed?

markv

#5

Speaking of RM. We have our first resupply there but did not opt to reserve the cabins or hotel. We expect to arrive around late afternoon & it would be nice to have a real dinner there & possibly breakfast the next AM. What’s your recommendation regarding the 4 of us camping there? Is it a noisy zoo? Is the camping first come/first serve (especially for JMT’ers)? Is camping for JMT’ers away from the crowds?

trek-or

#6

markV, I was told the showers was closed due to asbestos and lead paint problems in the shower room. I think the real reason was due to budget cuts they just did not want to maintain them. They did not have a timetable for reopening them.

trek-or, anyone can just walk up and eat in the restaurant. The double cheesburger was fantastic and breakfast was awesome. Reds Meadow resort (where the restaurant is located) has cabins etc but is usually completely reserved. Reds Meadow Campground(where the closed shower room is located) is a National forest campground that has limited walk-in sites available. The current care takers while very nice people are pretty strick on the rules. I was in a group of four and when we arrived the walk-in sites were full and we got the last camp site available due to a last minute cancelation. Two other hikers came in after us and we were allowed to let them stay at our site as six people are allowed at each site. The walk-in sites are slightly away from the rest of the sites and the closest to the closed showers. The campground is small and during my time there was not very rowdy of noisey.

Big B