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Bishop Pass / Dusy Basin Conditions?

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 9:59 pm
by cloudlesssky
Anyone out there that's been up Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin in the past couple weeks? Maybe even down into Le Conte? Curious what it looks like, especially the pass. I've got a permit for a Friday entry Memorial weekend (ie this weekend) and spot forecast looks like wind, thunder and possible light dusting of snow on Friday.

Re: Bishop Pass / Dusy Basin Conditions?

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 8:20 am
by jenreyn
I haven't actually been up there, however I'm sure there is some snow up at the pass. Once over Le Conte is probably really nice! We have been getting a lot of precip and up high its been snowing. With the high sun angle and all it seems to be melting off fast after each storm. Up real high(13000-14000ft), not so much. There was crotch deep snow on the mountaineers route on Whitney this past weekend. I'd say as long as you are okay traveling over snow for a couple to few miles you should go. There is a chance of rain/thunder everyday so as long as you got over the pass early it would be fine. The first PCT kids rolled into Mammoth this past week and there are others making their way from Lone Pine to Bishop. I am sure they are crossing the passes to resupply, etc. Le Conte I bet is beautiful right now being somewhat empty and quiet. What a treat!

Re: Bishop Pass / Dusy Basin Conditions?

Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 4:44 pm
by marymaryland
This useful link was just shared with me-- it's real-time snowpack data from the station in Dusy Basin.

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/jspplot/jspPlo ... ies=cdec01

Looks like very little snowpack to worry about, tho I'd imagine the pass is still holding in some places. The current weather looks a little electric, though! Sunday/Monday looks like it'll be slightly mellower than earlier in the weekend. Have fun, if you do go!

Re: Bishop Pass / Dusy Basin Conditions?

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 6:29 am
by jenreyn
4-8 inches of snow at Bishop Pass today! Point forecast on NOAA.

Re: Bishop Pass / Dusy Basin Conditions?

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 1:14 pm
by gabe&mel
We plan to wrap up that section of the JMT starting on June 3rd and look forward to hearing how your trip went.


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Re: Bishop Pass / Dusy Basin Conditions?

Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 7:59 pm
by cloudlesssky
Well we didn't make it over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin. On 22 May 2015 the trail was covered with snow continuously starting around Saddlerock lake. We kept going to just before the switchbacks starting about 500ft below Bishop Pass. At that point the snow was pretty deep and it didn't appear that anyone had broken trail. The depression in the snow from past hikers (only 1 fresh track) looked to go up the gully below Mt. Agassiz. We didn't have snowshoes or other snow gear, so we ended up backtracking to a spot just below Saddlerock lake for the night. There's been a lot of late season snow so I imagine the north facing Bishop Pass is holding a bunch.
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