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Hi Orbiter,
Thank you so much for the TR because I'll be heading over Kearsarge Pass on my way to Vidette Meadow and ultimately Lake Reflection in late May. Looks like some good snow coverage but with these temps it looks like it may be gone soon.
That said Howard Scheckter, who puts up reports for Mammoth Mountain, is holding out hope that the Sierras may get one more dump in late May or early/mid June. Here's hoping
As for the winds, I to have had them hit me when going over KP and they can be hellacious. Looks like you had a great trip nevertheless. Again, thanks for the post.
Bravefanla
Bravefanla, SSSDave and anyone else aiming for Kearsarge this summer:
The trail to the pass should be completely clear in another month or so. We're talking a few weeks if the temps are anything like what we're seeing this week. Kearsarge Basin might take a little longer to melt out. In any case, the water situation looks pretty good at the higher elevations, at least for the first part of summer.
That's about my assessment too just looking at your images. Little of that route is north facing. That will give green things a few weeks to go through their cycle while still leaving some snow in usual shadier exposures that will keep small streams flowing and seeps active. Normally would visit those areas in early August so like last year moved things up a 3 weeks. Would expect shady north side of Glen Pass will still have snow.
