High Sierra Topix

Phoenix, that is very very useful advice. And it is good news that the trail was improved last summer--that probably happened after Doyle and I were in the vicinity. Thanks so much for taking the trouble to write a detailed post.

I take it, since you did not go over Styxx pass, that you went direct from Many Island to Boundary Lake? That looks pretty straightforward. Do you just head north of lake 7489 and south of hill 7883?

kpeter, I went in August and yes I went directly from Many Island Lake to Boundary Lake but I did not go north of lake 7489. I had read this trail report where they said "As clouds began to form, we set off up the hill due east, over an easy pass and down to an unnamed lake at 7489'. We were hoping to skirt this lake and head northeast to Boundary Lake, but that proved not possible. Instead, we followed the lake's drainage to the south and curved around under an impressive granite edifice towards Little Bear Lake"

The map I used to plan my trip showed it to be pretty steep so I did not attempt it. Looking at my pictures it looks like maybe 30 foot drop at a 60 degree angle followed by a 10-20 foot drop off straight down. I had hoped that I would be able to make it across between Lakes 7489 and 7458 but there is a huge rock there with drop offs straight down to the water on either side. So I had to go south and crossed just north of the third little lake. I then went up and over to Boundary Lake just south of hill 7883.

Thanks again, Phoenix, that is fantastic information that will probably save me quite a bit of trial and error on the trip over to Boundary.

Take internet reports with a grain of salt. The entire area has small-scale complexities. There are many ways to get around and just because someone did one way does not make it the best. Off trail, you can be 20 feet from someone's route and get into something entirely different. Just take your time and do not be afraid of turnning around and looking for something different if need be. All those complexities make the route finding really fun.

Spend some time studying Google Maps and try to transfer a few potentially good routes onto your topo. I do not use Google Earth, but I think you can actually get way-points off it. Inferno Lake is interesting, and if you have some extra time it is a worthwhile side trip. By the way, I walked nearly on top of the divide (Yosemite boundary) north to Huckleberry Lake. It is a climb to get up there, but views are nice and it is actually easier travel down lower. Take my suggestion with a grain of salt too, because as a rock climber, I tend to under-rate the difficult of technical stuff.

See a mini report from a trip there July 1st last year.

Just took a look at the Kibbie Ridge sensor readings and wow! Last year at this time it had 65" of snow, this year it has 10". If there are not some major storms in the next month I think this trip will be doable early in June.

Kibbie Ridge had actually gone from 10" down to 0" of snow by a few days ago. It now has 27". This storm made a big, big difference.

kpeter

That 10" of snow on march 4 probably had 3 inches of water. The new 27" probably has about 3" of water and can disappear just as fast as the 10." The new snow is good but unless there is a lot more and another cold spring will not be a game changer for those (like me) planning an early season foray into the backcountry.

Mike

Oldranger, you seem to be correct. When I looked at water content instead of snow depth I found that the old 10" was about 6" of water content (it must have been very densely packed.) The new 27" of snow has 6.71" of water content. It is still accumulating some, though.

The only difference it will make to me is whether I go in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd week of June.

kpeter

I was too lazy to actually check. Wow that new snow is wet! I'm surprised the old snow was that wet, too. It must have been really warm. Oh yes Kibbie Ridge is pretty low. At high elevations this time of the year shallow snow depth is generally quite dry as the result of water moving out of the snow pack when the air temperature is colder than the snow. Personally I have mixed feelings about getting more snow. I'd really like to do a mid may trip!

Mike