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Re: Low snowpack pros and cons
Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 7:48 pm
by Big Ed
Less insects.
Re: Low snowpack pros and cons
Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 12:16 pm
by richlong8
More fires. More smoke from fires in areas far from the High Sierra that will yuck up the air. Remember Santa Barbara several years ago?
Re: Low snowpack pros and cons
Posted: Mon May 27, 2013 8:33 pm
by tim
All I can say is, if you can, drop everything and go NOW! It's great out there, no bugs yet, and the southern Sierra is snow free up to 10,000ft+ (and higher on south facing slopes). We were in Paradise Valley and met a group just finishing the Rae Lakes loop. The north side of Glen Pass was apparently "sketchy" and best done in descent (sliding in the snow), but was snow free the rest of the way. So with the exception of the highest passes there are some amazing deserted places to visit for the next few weeks. The rivers and vegetation look like late July in a normal year.
Re: Low snowpack pros and cons
Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:30 am
by DoyleWDonehoo
Well, I just came back from the Vernon Lake loop (5 days with a noob), and I was shocked. I saw one tiny little patch of snow, the Brannigan cascade was just a little strip of water, all of the Vernon Lake water was flowing under the bridge, and there was mosquitoes, mosquitoes (!), about case 2 to 3, in MAY!! It was more like a fairly dry July out there. Crazy.
(Just a tip: the trail above Tiltill Valley was nearly overgrown with bush at the top 1/3. I have never seen it that bad, and I have done that trail many many times. Such a well traveled trail should not be in such poor shape.)