FYI Mineral King Conditions
Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 6:37 pm
I received this via email from the good folks at the Mineral King District Association. As I understand it, the gate is not yet open to the public.
----------------------------
>Patrol Period: April 28-May 2, 2007
>Road Conditions: Maintenance staff began opening up Mineral King for
>the summer and the road is now clear of snow and larger rocks. Both the
>Boundary and Conifer Gates will remain locked until the Thursday before
>Memorial Day.
>Snow/Avalanche Conditions: There is very little snow left in Mineral
>King Valley. However, warm temperatures can still create instability
>and the possibility of avalanches remains until the snow is completely
>gone. On Friday, I saw debris from many point release and wet slab
>avalanches on Vandever Mountain, West Florence Peak, and Empire
>Mountain. While skiing to and at the Farewell Gap snow survey site, I
>heard a lot of "whumping", a classic indicator of snow instability.
>Ski/Snowshoe Conditions: On Friday, I mountain biked from Faculty Flat
>to the end of the road, hiked to snowline above the confluence of the
>East Fork and White Chief Creek, then skied up to the Farewell Gap snow
>survey site. Very warm temperatures on Saturday and Sunday eliminated
>the third event of the ranger triathlon and skiable conditions are
>finished for the year.
>I carried snowshoes for the Hockett Meadow, Quinn Meadow, and Wet
>Meadows snow surveys. From Corner Creek to Windy Gap, the trail was
>mostly covered with snow of varying depth. After the firm crust
>softened, snowshoes proved helpful. However, later in the day the snow
>turned to soup and snowshoes were no better than plain shoes.
>Snowmobile Conditions: There is no snow left on the road.
>
>I saw 26 deer on Friday and Saturday (nine in one herd at the Silver
>City gas pump)! Friday night I saw a grey fox near Highbridge Creek. I
>heard an owl on the Atwell-Hockett Trail near Deer Creek and another at
>Hockett Meadow. At Quinn Meadow I watched a huge black bear eat willow
>buds and tear up rotten logs. I also saw a rare population of Sierra
>Bleeding Heart (Dicentra nevadensis) on the south side of Windy Gap.
>
>
>Now that water is turned on, the maintenance crew would like cabin
>owners to check for leaks, open faucets, and running hoses. This is a
>really dry year and your efforts to conserve water will be helpful.
>
>
>
>Kurt Gross
>Park Ranger
>Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 Generals Highway Three
>Rivers, CA 93271
----------------------------
>Patrol Period: April 28-May 2, 2007
>Road Conditions: Maintenance staff began opening up Mineral King for
>the summer and the road is now clear of snow and larger rocks. Both the
>Boundary and Conifer Gates will remain locked until the Thursday before
>Memorial Day.
>Snow/Avalanche Conditions: There is very little snow left in Mineral
>King Valley. However, warm temperatures can still create instability
>and the possibility of avalanches remains until the snow is completely
>gone. On Friday, I saw debris from many point release and wet slab
>avalanches on Vandever Mountain, West Florence Peak, and Empire
>Mountain. While skiing to and at the Farewell Gap snow survey site, I
>heard a lot of "whumping", a classic indicator of snow instability.
>Ski/Snowshoe Conditions: On Friday, I mountain biked from Faculty Flat
>to the end of the road, hiked to snowline above the confluence of the
>East Fork and White Chief Creek, then skied up to the Farewell Gap snow
>survey site. Very warm temperatures on Saturday and Sunday eliminated
>the third event of the ranger triathlon and skiable conditions are
>finished for the year.
>I carried snowshoes for the Hockett Meadow, Quinn Meadow, and Wet
>Meadows snow surveys. From Corner Creek to Windy Gap, the trail was
>mostly covered with snow of varying depth. After the firm crust
>softened, snowshoes proved helpful. However, later in the day the snow
>turned to soup and snowshoes were no better than plain shoes.
>Snowmobile Conditions: There is no snow left on the road.
>
>I saw 26 deer on Friday and Saturday (nine in one herd at the Silver
>City gas pump)! Friday night I saw a grey fox near Highbridge Creek. I
>heard an owl on the Atwell-Hockett Trail near Deer Creek and another at
>Hockett Meadow. At Quinn Meadow I watched a huge black bear eat willow
>buds and tear up rotten logs. I also saw a rare population of Sierra
>Bleeding Heart (Dicentra nevadensis) on the south side of Windy Gap.
>
>
>Now that water is turned on, the maintenance crew would like cabin
>owners to check for leaks, open faucets, and running hoses. This is a
>really dry year and your efforts to conserve water will be helpful.
>
>
>
>Kurt Gross
>Park Ranger
>Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 Generals Highway Three
>Rivers, CA 93271