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TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 11:30 am
by Flamingo
Hi Everyone,
This weekend I hiked a loop from Wolverton trailhead to Alta Meadow, to Moose Lake, to Pear Lake, and then returned to Wolverton. The section from Alta Meadow to Pear Lake is off-trail, but the route-finding was relatively easy.

Snow Report: It feels like late-June of a normal snow year. I encountered essentially no snow from Wolverton to Alta Meadow, and then only trivial snow patches on the cross-country climb to Moose Lake. At 10,500', Moose Lake is still frozen, but the shoreline is easily navigable. On the north side of Moose Lake, descending to Pear Lake, there are big snow patches that I could not avoid. These patches, however, were heavily consolidated and rarely deeper than one foot; I found the snow walking here to be very safe, and -- dare I say -- fun. The trail from Pear Lake to the Watchtower is essentially clear, but there are a handful of small snow patches with well-worn boot tracks. The trail from the Watchtower to Wolverton is totally clear of snow.

Mosquitos: none!

Looking east from Alta Meadow, it appears that Kaweah Gap is melted by now. At the very least, I bet Hamilton Lake is a nice place right now.
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The approach to Moose Lake. . .
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Moose Lake, frozen. . .
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Approaching Pear Lake from the north. . .
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Emerald Lake basin. . .
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Some snow remains on the Watchtower trail. . .
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I posted more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/victorhans ... 757704317/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 11:46 am
by maverick
Thanks Vhsvhs for a great TR and pictures. It is striking that in May there is
such little snow to talk about in Tablelands. Interesting how Pear Lake is
completely thawed and a little over 1000 ft up Moose Lake is still frozen.

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 1:25 pm
by iHartMK
Awesome!

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 3:15 pm
by KathyW
Great photos - just love that view.

I was thinking of heading over Cottonwood Pass this coming weekend, but those photos have me thinking.

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 5:27 am
by richlong8
Nice. There didn't seem to be many tracks on the trail from Pear to Wolverton via the Watchtower. My tracks or yours? :nod: I am curious which slope above Pear do you descend from Moose? Love your photos. I posted a TR yesterday. Too bad there is not a better way for HST members to ID each other when out and about.

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 10:12 am
by abkerr
Thanks Vhsvhs for your trip report. Given the very dry conditions you observed, would you say it's safe to assume the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Bearpaw Meadow will be well clear of snow and with navigable creeks? Though I imagine the mosquitoes are a little more active at the 7-8,000 ft. altitude? My family (with an 8-yr-old and 6-yr-old) will be spending 3 nights on a short out and back this coming June 8-11.

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Tue May 21, 2013 5:29 pm
by rscofield
Great photos. Did that loop with my wife last year as her first backpack trip since kids about 20 years ago. Great trip. Was in the Panamints a few weeks ago and it looks like July looking back to Sierras! Russell

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 10:48 am
by Ska-T
abkerr wrote: . . would you say it's safe to assume the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Bearpaw Meadow will be well clear of snow and with navigable creeks? . . . June 8-11.
You will have no snow problems. If a creek or two is difficult for your kids, you could drop your pack and carry them across one by one.
-Scott

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 11:07 am
by maverick
Hi Abkerr,

Welcome to HST!
You should not have any problems, but you make what to refresh you river/creek
crossing skills by reading this excellent thread on the subject: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=6043" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:44 am
by manny
Thanks for the TR! Perfect timing. Thought that it might be nearly snow free early this year and your TR is confirming this.

Planning a Pear Lk - Tablelands trip June 7-9. Combination start of Sierra season equipment shake down and intro for a couple of newbies. We usually do the Pear - Moose direct route to start the year, but want to take it easy on the new backpackers.

Will post TR so that I can start contributing to this great community.

Manny