High Sierra Topix

Hi friends.

I've been trying to get up to the Palisade Glacier for a few years now, even had permits the past two summers, but "life" kept getting in the way.

I've always backpacked much later in the season, but this is the the only time we could make it happen this summer.

Any advice for this trail at this time of year (June 26)? We'll head out early Sunday morning and spend 2 nights camping. We're capable of doing about 11 miles a day if necessary, but we're not really trying to rush or push it too hard this time. 7-10 miles a day would be better.

We are not snow hikers, so once we reach snowpack, we're turning around.

Any input is welcome

Thanks,
Jaclyn

Any advice for this trail at this time of year (June 26)? We'll head out early Sunday morning and spend 2 nights camping. We're capable of doing about 11 miles a day if necessary, but we're not really trying to rush or push it too hard this time. 7-10 miles a day would be better.

Your daily mileage will easily allow you to choose between several lakes, Summit and Fifth Lakes have good camping and even better scenery, both are within 7.5 miles from the trailhead. Snow could be an issue at higher elevations, but doubt it, you can also basecamp at Second Lake if it is an issue.
Palisades Glacier is about another 3 miles from Summit or Fifth Lake, the upper part of the route to the glacier will have snow, and is not maintained.
Here is one of members TR: https://calitrails.com/2014/05/29/hikin ... -big-pine/

Why turn around once you reach snowpack? The snow should be solid enough to walk on, and camp sites on the rock benches above Third Lake should have dry spots. The distances between lakes is short, so even if slogging through snow is slow, you could easily go to several lakes.

Why turn around once you reach snowpack? The snow should be solid enough to walk on, and camp sites on the rock benches above Third Lake should have dry spots. The distances between lakes is short, so even if slogging through snow is slow, you could easily go to several lakes.

Some folks have a similar aversion to snow as they do to going off trail, not saying this is the case for the OP, but have met people on the trail, who have been turned around, even though the snow was only patchy.

Thanks for the advice maverick.

We're ok to walk in an inch or two of snow. Hiking through slush or knee-deep snow for several miles just isn't preferred by everyone in our group.

I'll be watching the boards more closely as June arrives to get a better idea of what the conditions are like up there.

Thanks!