High Sierra Topix

I don't get it. I came here for legitimate advice and I'm treated like this. Not the most hospitable treatment I've experienced online. Perhaps I don't get the offense to using "Sierra Nevadas" being someone from Texas. We call the Rocky Mountains "the rockies". I included a link to my site because in the post about posting a quality request for advice also stated you guys like trip reports and pictures. I could care less about hits to the site as I have zero ads on my site. Clearly I have an interest in backpacking but you guys treat me like I'm a spam bot.

balzaccom wrote:It's tough to get big mountain vistas and not have so much snow that you are you wallowing in it right now.

The best bet might be something like Hite Cove, which is well below snow levels, between Maripos and Yosemite. But's it's only about 4-5 miles each way...

There's a trip report on our site about it.

Thanks balzaccom, great site and it seems I've checked out before. The early season hikes was part of my curiosity about current possibilities. Hite Cove looks amazing with the wildflowers but you're right that it's not a very long hike.

Smackmeister, normally, I would recommend the Hetch Hetchy area, but I believe the trailhead may still be closed because of cleanup work being done in the wake of last year's big fire. Hetch Hetchy was apparently spared but areas directly to the NW were hit hard and there are many dead/burned trees near trails that pose a hazard.

There are many low elevation hikes (under 6500 feet) you might entertain -- look at your maps and explore. If you can't drive there because the roads are covered in snow, it might not be the best destination for you. Keep in mind that in a normal year, the snowline is often at or about 6,000 feet by late March. This is not a normal year.

Wherever you go in the Sierras in March, be prepared for bad weather. You may not need snow shoes or cross country skis but be sure to bring a weather worthy tent, warm clothes, and a cold weather sleeping bag and pad.

Hey, I just used the term "Sierras." Shoot me!

Mike

Mike M. wrote:There are many low elevation hikes (under 6500 feet) you might entertain -- look at your maps and explore. If you can't drive there because the roads are covered in snow, it might not be the best destination for you. Keep in mind that in a normal year, the snowline is often at or about 6,000 feet by late March. This is not a normal year.

Thanks Mike. I'll look at my maps some more. Do you know what the snowline is currently at? I've spent a couple days in that area going through Lake Vernon and Rancheria falls (which was impressive). Seems like the fire was SW of Hetch Hetchy so perhaps Lake Elenor area might have some viable trail heads heading north.

Winter road closures may be in effect - best to call the park or NF.

The road to Cherry Lake usually closes in winter. There were Rim Fire closures of many NF roads into the bargain. Those roads may not necessarily have snow but be closed because no one has removed trees or graded washouts - they'll do that in spring.

A ranger in Yosemite told me last month that they closed the trails at Hetch Hetchy out of concern for falling dead trees killed in the Rim Fire. No idea if that is still true or not and I have not checked.

The roads to Courtright and Wishon close in winter.

The roads to many east side destinations close in winter.

The high passes tend to close in winter, and it just snowed.

Therefore, check the road status before planning.

Hey,
Just wanted you to know we are not a bunch of hard arsses here (read your last night's deleted post). If you are serious about your question, then you should already know that there are no "big mountain" areas in the Sierra that are easily accessed now without snow...It is winter. Your blog seems to suggest you are already experienced and knowledgeable on our mountains - (nice blog BTW).
Too many times we see first-time members who post gibberish and then add a link to their own agenda...your's appeared just such a post.
Suggest you stick around, add some real insights/personal knowledge, etc first, and get to know how we roll before adding a link. Then, if you do want to add your link later, just be sure to add a reciprocal link in your blog that mentions HST. This is all we ask.

Just so you know, we are sometimes sarcastic but we can take it as well as dish it out...much like any real hiker who I would enjoy hiking with.

BTW, much like San Francisco natives hating the name "Frisco", the use of Sierra Nevadas (even Sierras) is wrong and very much frowned on. Sierra Nevada translates to Snowy Mountains...adding the last "S" shows a naive understanding of our jewel - and something someone of your experience should already know.
Sorry if I offended you but as Admin here - keeper of the keys, too often see self-serving spammers.
Mark

Thanks for the explanation, Mark. I've already started updating my site to remove the 's'. I love the Sierra and with the snowpack being so off from average, I guess I was overly optimistic. Looks like I'll look into coastal or desert options until I can get back to the Sierra.

Personally, I wish you'd put your link back in. Assuming of course you also contribute here, even if it's pointers back to your blog about Sierra trips. It would also be nice to mention the HST site in your links section of your Blog. The other trips were nice to read as well.

Russ

Hi and welcome to the forum.

For big mountain views you will need altitude and that in turn means snow. If you Nordic skipack, Hope Valley is a beautiful open meadow. Spooner Lake up North Canyon to Marlette Lake is also a nice nordic outing. Leavitt Meadows up the West Walker is flat and also would be a nice nordic skipack.

Since you are interested in snow free places, a couple come to mind that you might enjoy. My first suggestion would be Feather Falls. You could do one day to above the falls, a second day up into the Feather Falls Rec. area, then return. Depending upon the status of the bridge at Frey Creek, you could do a partially alternate route on your return from the falls to the TH. If the bridge is still out and you're willing to do a stream crossing, you still might take that lower trail on the return. The falls themselves are big and an attractive sight. Several miles beyond the falls you enter a sizeable canyon. This is not a crown jewel of the Sierra, but for something that is still a nice hike and nice scenery without snow, it's a great spring outing.

The other is not as long, but would put you in some rugged terrain at lower elevation. That would be the Nevada Point Trail down to the Rubicon River. It's a steep drop into a canyon and there is a sense of real wilderness down on the Rubicon, but it's only a couple of miles down. Great place to set up a fishing base camp and boulder around the river edge looking for fishing holes. Depending on flow level, if you want to bring belay gear and ford the river (bridge is washed out and this is only for experienced people), you can continue up the trail on the other side of the river.

If you come out to our lovely Sierra, have fun, be safe, and please post a TR.

If you have winter experience, I have done the north rim traverse in Yosemite first week of April, with snowshoes. I went up the Snow Creek Trail, hit snow on rim and snowshoed to Yosemite Creek, and then off with the snowshoes down Yosemite Falls trail. I have done the Pohono Trail before Glacier Point opens - in early May, plenty of snow to go through but no people. You can also get up the Merced River to Merced Lake early season. Mid-March is really to early, even for these early season hikes. Yosemite Valley is open and the trails on the sunny side (North Rim) are usually open year round. Great day-hiking.

Do the Lost Coast - the whole thing - a good 6-7 day trip.

Now that we have had rain, Henry Coe Park creeks should have water, and this is my favorite area for March trips. You can actually do a 5 day rigorous trip and could spend several weeks exploring with several 5-day trips.

Although I have not done it, what about the southern part of the Kern River?