High Sierra Topix

Just back from 11 days measuring snow on the upper Kern. I never know where to post these reports? In 2011 I posted under "winter sports" but I'm not sure too many people saw? Is this better?

We could drive up as far as Windy Gap on the Horseshoe Road. Coverage was good west of the crest though and we never had to remove skis. The survey went from Cottonwood Pass to Ramshaw Meadow then back thru Siberian Outpost, Rock Creek, Crabtree, Tyndall and back via Miter Basin.

SWE was in the mid 90% to date. Snow surface was sun crust, wind crust and rain crust. Temps from -10° to 45°f. More photos here

Very cool to be able to get out there under those conditions. It's a whole different type of beauty.

Very nice photographs John. You have a great job . I must admit I'm a bit surprised at the percentages Ive seen so far this season. I thought they would be much lower as here in the valley (Clovis/Fresno) we are well below our norm. Still need some more to fill up the already low reservoirs.

Hi JD,

After you mentioned the 90% to date on the phone, was going to ask whether you
were planning to post some pictures of the trip, and voila here they are.
As Trout mention we too have not had a lot of rain in the Bay Area so was a little
surprised by the totals, and even more after seeing the photo's.
Very cool photo's, as in good and cold , a whole different world this time of the
year. Thanks you posting this info.

This is beautiful! Thanks for posting. As a three season hiker your photos provide inspiration to do a real winter High Sierra trip.

Gorgeous, inspiring photos. I hope everyone checks the link to the other photos. This makes me want to learn better winter camping skills and how to ski. Thank you for sharing.

Awesome. Great pics and great news. So far so good.

RoguePhotonic wrote:Very cool to be able to get out there under those conditions. It's a whole different type of beauty.

It really is a different beauty. I appreciate the contrast it lends to the high peaks and the rounding and softening of the lower contours, but after a while I long for the sounds and colors of summer. Other than the wind, there isn't much noise out there; the water hushed by the cold, birds gone to warmer climes.

Every now and again perhaps a coyotes call, or the squawk of the raven.

But then there is the ease of travel; talus and scree, smooth to glide across.

JD

Gorgeous! Thanks for the information and photos.

Sure is picturesque during the winter, well it's picturesque all the time, just seems even more beautiful during winter. Thanks for sharing the info on the snow survey and the wonderful photos.