TR: Alta Meadow--Moose Lake--Pear Lake Loop, May 18/19 2013
Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 11:30 am
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.
The approach to Moose Lake. . .
Moose Lake, frozen. . .
Approaching Pear Lake from the north. . .
Emerald Lake basin. . .
Some snow remains on the Watchtower trail. . .
I posted more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/victorhans ... 757704317/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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.
The approach to Moose Lake. . .
Moose Lake, frozen. . .
Approaching Pear Lake from the north. . .
Emerald Lake basin. . .
Some snow remains on the Watchtower trail. . .
I posted more photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/victorhans ... 757704317/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;