Tuolomne to Whitney Passable?

imported
#1

Does anyone know the conditions in the high Sierras? I am contemplating jumping on the John Muir Trail at Tuolomne and hiking south to Whitney. Would a July 6 start be possible? Also, where is it safe to park in Yosemite? How do people generally return from Whitney back to Yosemite?

Bankrobber

#2

You should read the journal entries for some of the current PCT hikers. “Superdave” has already made it through the Sierra to Toulumne, and Andy and Chele have made it past Whitney and over Forrester Pass. Others have made it as well. Based on what I’ve read and seen (I hiked a small portion of the PCT/JMT in Lyell Canyon last weekend), you should expect snow at the higher elevations. At the northern end (Tuolumne), the snow is fairly continuous above 10,000 feet, although it really depends on the direction the slope faces and whether it is protected by trees. The farther south you go, the higher the snow level will be . . . of course, the passes also get higher. If you are prepared to deal with snow over the passes (which is both difficult to hike on and makes route-finding challending) and crossing swift, high creeks and rivers, you will have an incredible experience and see a side of the high Sierra that few see.

As for parking, you would be fine parking in any of the backpackers’ lots in Yosemite. There is one near Happy Isles on the shuttle route if you are starting there, or near the trail in Tuolumne Meadows if you are choosing to skip the Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne section.

Returning to your car – I think many people hitch or find a shuttle/car service. I’ve heard that it is fairly easy to hitch a ride down from Whitney Portal, although I’ve never tried it. If you can get to Mammoth, the YARTS bus will take you back to Yosemite.

Kanga

#3

I put a long post on the PCT-L on June 15th detailing conditions from Kennedy meadows to mammoth. It is passable, with some care; we made it through leaving KM June 1st, Mammoth June 17th, and are currently in S Lake Tahoe. There aren’t many other hikers around. The water crossings have been rising and may be challenging, but by July 6th should be dropping again. There is still a fair bit of snow; we used axes and crampons on most passes but partly through choice as I prefer to do them early morning on hard snow. 2 others that I’ve met have also made it through and didn’t have crampons.

dave