Sierra Snow Report

(Copied from facebook page for my future reference when I get there in ~ 10 days)

June 10, 2016
Current Trail/Snow Conditions Report:
Cottonwood Pass to Kearsarge Pass

The Sierra has been experiencing an intense thaw of the snowpack that began immediately after a serious wind event May 19-21. The nights stopped freezing and the daytime temperatures soared into the 70s. Since 5/21, the Sierra has lost over 3 feet of snow raising the snowline from 9,500 to roughly 11,500!

Snowline: 
- 11,800 on southsides
- 11,200 on northsides

Snow locations:

There is no snow from Kennedy Meadows to 3 miles short of Forester Pass. Expect snow at this point only on the steep, high passes starting and ending at the elevations above.

Snow type and conditions:

The snowpack is hard and easy to walk on (unless slippery because of its crusty nature) only for a brief time period each morning during fair weather. Hiking crampons and Microspikes will help you with traction while walking over this type of morning crust on your approaches to each pass climb.

After about 10:00am, it becomes soft on top, then soft throughout, then you will start postholing deeply the rest of the day. In the afternoon, the snow becomes so “rotten” that you literally will flounder and wallow through it, causing extreme exhaustion, frustration, thirst, and calorie burn. If you find yourself in these conditions and still have a long way to go over snow for the day, just give up, stop, and wait for morning. It’s not worth trying to plow on through in the long run. Afternoon glissades can also be futile as the snow will be too soft to slide in!

Snow hiking Tactics:

End each day as close to each pass as you can so that your time on snow in the morning is short enough to get you over the pass and down the backside to dry trail before you start postholing. You do not want to posthole on the way up, but more importantly, postholing on the way down can cause serious injury due to momentum, depth of plunge, and impact with the boulders within the snowpack. Start each day’s ascent at dawn (0500) to maximize the amount of time on hard, morning snow.

Here are our recommendations of places to stop before each of the high sierra passes:

- Forester:  Tyndall Creek crossing.
- Glen:  Vidette Meadows, Bullfrog Lake vicinity, or the pothole lake below the pass.
- Pinchot:  Twin Lakes or anywhere in the upper basin on the south side.
- Mather:  South Fork of the Kings or anywhere in the upper basin.
- Muir:  Upper Pete Meadow, Helen Lake, or anywhere at snowline

Be aware that camping above timberline puts you in a very exposed position to weather events like wind, rain, snow, or thunder/lightning. Evaluate the weather as you approach each pass.

SEKI Pass Route Selections:

Forester: 
On the lower third of the wall, kick in your own switchbacks (or, if you only have Microspikes, you are limited to going straight up) into the snow as you climb up to the lowest visible summer switchback (about 1/3 of the way up). The summer trail, once you get there, is largely clear of snow, but could still be mostly full of hard snow and ice. Yes, you can walk on rock with crampons. The ice chute still has a carved “trail” and is easy to walk on with two poles. The vertical wall on top has now been cut through so you don’t have to climb it. Follow the summer trail route down the northside by going across the ridge to your left and do the two-part glissade down to the lake below.

Glen: 
South side still has large snow drifts covering the trail, but you can follow it relatively easily. If the snow is hard there in the early morning, consider using your crampons. The north side descent is steep and hazardous, but start by following the summer route that traverses to the right to a little ridgeline you can glissade down. Do not glissade right from the pass as the descent is convex and you won’t be able to see boulders in your way.

Pinchot: 
Follow the approach ridge up to the left side of the pass bowl, then traverse across the snow (if still present) to the pass. No big deal on this one.

Mather: 
Cut your own switchbacks up the middle of the bowl to the pass. Do not be tempted to follow an exposed band of rocks on the left side as many are loose and move when stepped on.

Bishop: 
Is an easy way out for resupply. Contact Parchers Resort less than a mile from the eastside trailhead as they rent hiker cabins and may have an easy hitch to the town of Bishop. Dry switchbacks up to Dusy Basin, then patchy snow above 11,500 to the pass. Glissade the snow chute on the right of the trail, then enjoy the several picturesque lakes on the way down the hill.

SEKI Creek Crossings:

All creeks are really swollen and running fast during the thaw. Extend your poles to the max, cross facing the opposite bank, stab your poles into the current wide apart at 10 and 2 for best balance, always maintain 3 points of contact when moving a foot or pole, and shuffle feet rather than picking them up, if the current is running fast.

If the weather is clear and hot, crossing with wet shoes thereafter is not a big deal if you have plenty of dry trail before snowline to walk them dry. If the weather is cold or snowy, getting wet shoes will mean cold feet and frozen shoes at night. Do not let your feet stay wet for a long time as Trench Foot may result. Find a way to get your feet dry after each creek crossing or extended walking in soft snow. Separate creek crossing footwear is best.

Rock Creek: 
cross on the two side-by-side logs just above the summer trail.

Whitney Creek: 
(lower Crabtree Meadow) wade anywhere at or above the summer trail. 16”?

Wallace Creek: 
wade this faster, moderate-volume creek at the summer crossing. 20”?

Wright Creek: 
this is a deeper, faster, narrower creek. Wade at the summer crossing. 30”?

Tyndall Creek: 
this is steeper, faster, and has more whitewater than the others. Wade at the summer crossing. Slide your feet rather than lifting as the current will move your foot sideways. 28-30”?

Center Basin Creek:
shallow wade at summer crossing. Log crossing above or below?

Bullfrog outflow creek in Middle Vidette:
log crossing above the summer trail.

South Fork of the Kings River: 
This one is wider, faster, and has the biggest amount of whitewater than the rest. Cross in the morning when the volume is lower using the techniques above. Be aware that any wet rocks and logs just above water may be icy and slippery! Test your step placement before you put your weight on each foot when rock or log hoping, if able.

Middle Fork of the Kings (up below Helen Lake): 
several wet, shallow crossings (rock hops) between Big Pete Meadow and Helen Lake. Just a heads-up.

I hope this helps you plan your days ahead!

Next update, June 30…