Closed and Open Areas
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:37 pm
I called in to White Mt. Ranger District today (12/23), and spoke with a nice knowledgeable person. I learned that my big-eyed plan to race up Taboose Creek, over that pass, then Cartridge Pass, and into Lakes Basin for the very first time, is temporarily thwarted by the closing of the Taboose Cr. Trail! Fuc! I also learned that Bishop Pass-- North and South Lake routes are open, but for South Lake the access begins several miles down valley from Parcher's Camp.
As for points south- such as Horseshoe Meadow-- the gate is closed way down by the lavender farm place? I don't know where that is, but I think it is many miles from HMeadow Trailhead (who knows this?) Sometimes I think, Oh well, I don't mind walking 5,000' up a snowed-in road, pulling my stuff easily in a "pulk," but not for 8-10 miles!!! I'll go up to Rock Creek, and slog for just 3-4 miles up a nice, scenic road, and get into even nicer-looking mountain country.
What else did I learn? Oh yes, the long, mostly dry, trail up Sawmill Creek is open. Not having that masochist gene I've never hiked it, but I'd like to, even though it will add exactly 9 miles to the Bench Lake/JMT junction!(as compared to T.Cr.). From there up to Cartridge Pass might be a pass too far in my slack, Christmas over-fed body, but I could happily camp at Bench Lake, and just stare up at Arrow Peak, and across at the Cirque Crest. Aren't there some warm springs west of Bench Lake? Ideally, one could defy the rules, and make it a circle by hiking down the closed Taboose Cr. Trail. I disapprove of trail closures to protect me from myself, and approve of those that protect the land from my abuse; so the T.Cr. trail closure due to last summer's fire damage, and the potential for trees to fall over onto me is one I can break with philosophic tranquility. It would entail a scrappy 10-12 dry miles back to the car at Sawmill TH, but that might not kill me... though a second car at the T.Cr. TH would be nice.
As of today, the snow-line is around 10,000 feet on the east side of the range, at least up to Bishop Creek or so. I also learned that the Whitney Tr. is closed way down to nearly the Alabama Hills-- I am not sure why??
Note, if anyone is set to castigate me for being out when I should be in, my half plan was to "self-quarantine" in the High Sierra for a week after doing the necessary visit to help my old Mom get used to her life alone... which I think trumps my need to stay at home. I have been very good till now, and want to be safe for my old friends and neighbors at home. So a Sierra trip is the ethical thing to do GD'it!
Anyone have any other Conditions reports to share? I didn't ask about Onion Valley, or Oak Creek/Baxter Pass, which is another Beautiful trip, for the very finest (long) view of Mt. Clarence King from what're they called-- "Baxter Lakes?" [I think it looks like a "White Matterhorn" from there!]
Another, beautiful, place in snow.
As for points south- such as Horseshoe Meadow-- the gate is closed way down by the lavender farm place? I don't know where that is, but I think it is many miles from HMeadow Trailhead (who knows this?) Sometimes I think, Oh well, I don't mind walking 5,000' up a snowed-in road, pulling my stuff easily in a "pulk," but not for 8-10 miles!!! I'll go up to Rock Creek, and slog for just 3-4 miles up a nice, scenic road, and get into even nicer-looking mountain country.
What else did I learn? Oh yes, the long, mostly dry, trail up Sawmill Creek is open. Not having that masochist gene I've never hiked it, but I'd like to, even though it will add exactly 9 miles to the Bench Lake/JMT junction!(as compared to T.Cr.). From there up to Cartridge Pass might be a pass too far in my slack, Christmas over-fed body, but I could happily camp at Bench Lake, and just stare up at Arrow Peak, and across at the Cirque Crest. Aren't there some warm springs west of Bench Lake? Ideally, one could defy the rules, and make it a circle by hiking down the closed Taboose Cr. Trail. I disapprove of trail closures to protect me from myself, and approve of those that protect the land from my abuse; so the T.Cr. trail closure due to last summer's fire damage, and the potential for trees to fall over onto me is one I can break with philosophic tranquility. It would entail a scrappy 10-12 dry miles back to the car at Sawmill TH, but that might not kill me... though a second car at the T.Cr. TH would be nice.
As of today, the snow-line is around 10,000 feet on the east side of the range, at least up to Bishop Creek or so. I also learned that the Whitney Tr. is closed way down to nearly the Alabama Hills-- I am not sure why??
Note, if anyone is set to castigate me for being out when I should be in, my half plan was to "self-quarantine" in the High Sierra for a week after doing the necessary visit to help my old Mom get used to her life alone... which I think trumps my need to stay at home. I have been very good till now, and want to be safe for my old friends and neighbors at home. So a Sierra trip is the ethical thing to do GD'it!
Anyone have any other Conditions reports to share? I didn't ask about Onion Valley, or Oak Creek/Baxter Pass, which is another Beautiful trip, for the very finest (long) view of Mt. Clarence King from what're they called-- "Baxter Lakes?" [I think it looks like a "White Matterhorn" from there!]
Another, beautiful, place in snow.