Advice/conditions- Parker & Koip Peak Pass
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:42 pm
Hello, first post on this board. I'm moving out to NorCal area in August, but I couldn't wait that long so I planned a 4 person trip out to the Sierras in mid-June!
Our current plan is to start from the Mono Pass trailhead, hike through Parker & Koip Passes on the first day and camp at Alger Lakes. From there, we'll head down through Agnew Pass to Thousand Island Lake on the second day. On the third day, we plan on camping at Ediza Lake before exiting the trail at Agnew's Meadow on the 4th day.
My main concern is the conditions around Parker Peak and Koip Peak Pass. I called the ranger office and was told no one had been out there recently, but she ventured a guess that the pass would be covered with 2-3 ft of snow. Has anyone been out there recently and has better intel, or has hiked the pass when it's been covered with snow in the past? Are crampons/ice axe necessary, or can we get by with Yaxtrax and hiking poles? Any chance it melts out by June 17?
Are there any other areas of the trail I should be concerned about? Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to do a trip report w/ pictures after my trip.
Our current plan is to start from the Mono Pass trailhead, hike through Parker & Koip Passes on the first day and camp at Alger Lakes. From there, we'll head down through Agnew Pass to Thousand Island Lake on the second day. On the third day, we plan on camping at Ediza Lake before exiting the trail at Agnew's Meadow on the 4th day.
My main concern is the conditions around Parker Peak and Koip Peak Pass. I called the ranger office and was told no one had been out there recently, but she ventured a guess that the pass would be covered with 2-3 ft of snow. Has anyone been out there recently and has better intel, or has hiked the pass when it's been covered with snow in the past? Are crampons/ice axe necessary, or can we get by with Yaxtrax and hiking poles? Any chance it melts out by June 17?
Are there any other areas of the trail I should be concerned about? Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to do a trip report w/ pictures after my trip.