High Sierra Topix

I originally planned this trip earlier this season to stay 2 nights from June 16-18. My wilderness pass reservations have already been made and I've already requested the time off work. After reading many of the posts on here, about the snow levels and iced over lakes. I realize, i didn't do my research well enough ahead of time. This is a really great website, with lots of people giving great feedback. So I have a few questions for you guys:

1. Am I insane for going at this time of year?
2. What kind of temps should I expect?
3. Is it even worth making the trip up here at this time?
4. How likely is it to get a walk-in wilderness pass in July or August?
5. Is there any extra gear that I should bring for this time of year?

Any other advice you could give me is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

Hi Stevo31...welcome aboard!

Quick question - which Long Lake - several?
Mark

Sorry, it is the Long Lake off of the Bishop Pass/South Lake Trail head.

Hi Stevo31

Welcome aboard!
Please read the "SUGGESTIONS BEFORE REQUESTING TRIP ADVICE"above please, so we
can make a recommendation according to your experience/comfort levels, thanks.

Sorry, I didn't see that. Here you go:

What level of backpacking experience do you have?

Level 3- Numerous backpacking trips, some x-country travel


What terrain are you comfortable/uncomfortable with?
I'm comfortable with:

- Class 2 terrain/pass/x-country
- River crossings
- Snow travel/Glacier crossings

What is your main interest?

- Fishing
- Lakes
- Big Mountain scenery

stevo31 wrote:I originally planned this trip earlier this season to stay 2 nights from June 16-18. My wilderness pass reservations have already been made and I've already requested the time off work. After reading many of the posts on here, about the snow levels and iced over lakes. I realize, i didn't do my research well enough ahead of time. This is a really great website, with lots of people giving great feedback. So I have a few questions for you guys:

1. Am I insane for going at this time of year?
2. What kind of temps should I expect?
3. Is it even worth making the trip up here at this time?
4. How likely is it to get a walk-in wilderness pass in July or August?
5. Is there any extra gear that I should bring for this time of year?

Any other advice you could give me is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

Stevo,

I do that hike every year......In fact I recently did a Trip Review on the "fishing Hole" (which is apart of this site) titled "TR: Long Lake" Check it out, it was a trip I did last year around the time you are going. You won't be able to camp the date you are thinking, in fact you may not be able to get there at all in Mid June this year. When I went last year in Mid-June 50% of the hike was through snow and about 75% of the lake was still completly frozen over. Check out my trip and keep in mind that there was more snow this year than last year. If you can't find the trip let me know, if you have any questions let me know. I don't think you'll know if that trip is managble until the week before. Easy hike up there (only 2 mile), tough switch backs occasionaly. Weather shouldnt be too bad...but if there is a storm that weekend it could be some tough weather.

Scott

Likely to be ample amounts of snow there (still) in two weeks. I went to Long Lake the first time in late April 2007 (must have been a low snow year?). Anyway, maybe a few pictures will help.
http://theradioroom.org/Mountains/TRs/L ... ngLake.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mostly, I just recall making all the rookie mistakes - primarily going thru post hole hell working my way out as the sun had warmed the relatively deep snow. Sure is beautiful back there.

Liked it so much the first time, I waited two months for the snow to melt and returned.
http://theradioroom.org/Mountains/TRs/H ... rdPeak.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shawn wrote:Likely to be ample amounts of snow there (still) in two weeks. I went to Long Lake the first time in late April 2007 (must have been a low snow year?). Anyway, maybe a few pictures will help.
http://theradioroom.org/Mountains/TRs/L ... ngLake.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mostly, I just recall making all the rookie mistakes - primarily going thru post hole hell working my way out as the sun had warmed the relatively deep snow. Sure is beautiful back there.

Liked it so much the first time, I waited two months for the snow to melt and returned.
http://theradioroom.org/Mountains/TRs/H ... rdPeak.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Great stuff Shawn! Wonderfull picutres and story line. I never thought about going up there in April or May....but now you got me thinking! I'll be up there June 24th for a similar hike. I'll be in that area off and on all summer. If your up there between now and the 24th of June i'd love to see what it looks like before I go.

Scott

From what I understand the road to South lake only opened yesterday (5/26) and snow level is around 9000' depending on exposure. In mid june, there will still be snow around for sure.

There is lots of snow this year and I think mid-June is too early this year. I would wait until July this year because of the snow.

Texan