No Snow in the Crystal Basin
- Vaca Russ
- Topix Expert
- Posts: 809
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:12 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: The Nut Tree
No Snow in the Crystal Basin
This year we chose to do our annual visit to the backcountry of the Crystal Basin and were told by the forest service we didn’t need to do our normal winter hike of over 6 miles. “They” said we could drive all the way up to the gate. From there it is only a half mile hike into the bunkhouse. “They” said there was no snow, so we planned on riding our bikes.
Sport and I made it most of the way to the gate in spite of a very icy drive. Good thing we brought the 4 X 4. It turns out a tree had fallen about a mile before the gate. This obstacle required a little more hiking than we had planned…but, that’s what we do.
Hopefully these next pictures illustrate the difference in snow fall from 2013.
We enjoyed our evening together by putting together a puzzle. Unfortunately other activities kept us from finishing the puzzle.
To be continued…
Sport and I made it most of the way to the gate in spite of a very icy drive. Good thing we brought the 4 X 4. It turns out a tree had fallen about a mile before the gate. This obstacle required a little more hiking than we had planned…but, that’s what we do.
Hopefully these next pictures illustrate the difference in snow fall from 2013.
We enjoyed our evening together by putting together a puzzle. Unfortunately other activities kept us from finishing the puzzle.
To be continued…
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"
Kahil Gibran.
Kahil Gibran.
- Vaca Russ
- Topix Expert
- Posts: 809
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:12 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: The Nut Tree
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
The next morning we hiked out to meet the kids.
This is the first of three trees blocking access to the gate.
The boys had a blast hiking in the snow.
Eventually we made it back to the bunkhouse.
The princess elated in her discovery of a tiny house.
The kids helped us finish the 1000 piece puzzle.
That evening we collected some wood and built a fire in the pit. We then hike about a third of a mile into the darkness to observe the stars. The boys decided we should head back to the bunkhouse when they heard the coyotes start to sing.
We read in the Logbook that if we climbed the hill behind the bunkhouse we would observe some great views. Well, the hill is covered with trees so the view is not that great but we did do some rock climbing.
We took one last group picture at the bunkhouse before departing.
We had an enjoyable hike out.
Hopefully this recent storm is adding snow to our parched mountains. We really need precipitation.
Thanks for reading our report.
-Russ
This is the first of three trees blocking access to the gate.
The boys had a blast hiking in the snow.
Eventually we made it back to the bunkhouse.
The princess elated in her discovery of a tiny house.
The kids helped us finish the 1000 piece puzzle.
That evening we collected some wood and built a fire in the pit. We then hike about a third of a mile into the darkness to observe the stars. The boys decided we should head back to the bunkhouse when they heard the coyotes start to sing.
We read in the Logbook that if we climbed the hill behind the bunkhouse we would observe some great views. Well, the hill is covered with trees so the view is not that great but we did do some rock climbing.
We took one last group picture at the bunkhouse before departing.
We had an enjoyable hike out.
Hopefully this recent storm is adding snow to our parched mountains. We really need precipitation.
Thanks for reading our report.
-Russ
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"
Kahil Gibran.
Kahil Gibran.
- Jason
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 324
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:13 am
- Experience: N/A
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
Very cool! Thanks for the report. I just wish you were reporting tons and tons of snow. It's a crazy year.
- maverick
- Forums Moderator
- Posts: 11836
- Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
Wow, what a contrast. Thanks for sharing your delightful pictures of the family.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.
Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
- kd6swa
- Topix Acquainted
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 3:55 pm
- Experience: N/A
- Location: Fairfield, California
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
Vaca Russ and Sport - nice job keeping the children engaged in activities since there were no cell phone, computers, televisions or electricity!
73
KD6SWA
73
KD6SWA
- FeetFirst
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:35 am
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: West Sacramento, CA
- Contact:
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
Vaca Russ,
Have you been up there lately? I'm thinking of going in this Sunday for a night or two and trying to decide where to go in Deso/Crystal Basin to avoid deep snow (I know, shouldn't be too hard right?!). Most likely I'll be entering from either Loon or Echo, but nothing is set in stone.
I've been checking out the CDEC sensors (http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/mapp ... =18&quad=4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) to get an idea, but those things can be in a hole, in a shadow, all day and don't really tell the overall story well. Anyways, any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Have you been up there lately? I'm thinking of going in this Sunday for a night or two and trying to decide where to go in Deso/Crystal Basin to avoid deep snow (I know, shouldn't be too hard right?!). Most likely I'll be entering from either Loon or Echo, but nothing is set in stone.
I've been checking out the CDEC sensors (http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/mapp ... =18&quad=4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) to get an idea, but those things can be in a hole, in a shadow, all day and don't really tell the overall story well. Anyways, any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm still rather convinced that you can achieve more than you've ever dreamed of if you just lower your standards.
- Vaca Russ
- Topix Expert
- Posts: 809
- Joined: Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:12 pm
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: The Nut Tree
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
FF,FeetFirst wrote:Vaca Russ,
Have you been up there lately? I'm thinking of going in this Sunday for a night or two and trying to decide where to go in Deso/Crystal Basin to avoid deep snow (I know, shouldn't be too hard right?!). Most likely I'll be entering from either Loon or Echo, but nothing is set in stone.
I just saw your post. No, we haven't been up there recently. We have been mostly hitting the slopes.
You are probably up there right now! Please let us know what you found regarding snow depth.
I usually rely on this web site for snow depth information:
http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/ ... &js=1&uc=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have found it pretty reliable but I have run into snow (Pinenuts) when this site said it was clear.
Thanks,
-Russ
"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"
Kahil Gibran.
Kahil Gibran.
- FeetFirst
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:35 am
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: West Sacramento, CA
- Contact:
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
Thank you for the response, Russ. That modeled snow depth map looks really useful. I've used a similar one linked to the USGS website (I think), but this one appears a bit more user friendly - thanks.
I ended up doing a short overnight trip in Tahoe NF, Big Bend>Lock Levens area (http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYX ... ICAk6D9CQw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Snow was sparse below 6100 and dependent on exposure above that. The north facing slope up to the lakes was a post-holing nightmare. I broke through the 1-2 foot of crusty snow to the hidden mangle of boulders and manzinita underneath multiple times and have some pretty good cuts and bruises on my shins as reminders to never do that again. The trail was only visible for the first 1/2 mile or so and after the railroad tracks (6,100 ft.) there was about a foot of snow on the ground with more as you gained elevation. The weather was gorgeous, but a bit gusty at times. It cooled off quick in the evening and felt colder than reported (30 deg. F). I pretty much took a straight line back to the road in the morning and ended up at the Rainbow lodge so I had to walk the road back to my car. Not one mosquito the entire time! If no more storms hit the area I'd guess it will be in pretty good shape by Memorial Day. I'll update my post with pictures tonight.
I ended up doing a short overnight trip in Tahoe NF, Big Bend>Lock Levens area (http://www.hillmap.com/m/ag1zfmhpbGxtYX ... ICAk6D9CQw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). Snow was sparse below 6100 and dependent on exposure above that. The north facing slope up to the lakes was a post-holing nightmare. I broke through the 1-2 foot of crusty snow to the hidden mangle of boulders and manzinita underneath multiple times and have some pretty good cuts and bruises on my shins as reminders to never do that again. The trail was only visible for the first 1/2 mile or so and after the railroad tracks (6,100 ft.) there was about a foot of snow on the ground with more as you gained elevation. The weather was gorgeous, but a bit gusty at times. It cooled off quick in the evening and felt colder than reported (30 deg. F). I pretty much took a straight line back to the road in the morning and ended up at the Rainbow lodge so I had to walk the road back to my car. Not one mosquito the entire time! If no more storms hit the area I'd guess it will be in pretty good shape by Memorial Day. I'll update my post with pictures tonight.
I'm still rather convinced that you can achieve more than you've ever dreamed of if you just lower your standards.
- FeetFirst
- Topix Regular
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:35 am
- Experience: Level 4 Explorer
- Location: West Sacramento, CA
- Contact:
Re: No Snow in the Crystal Basin
Here are a couple of pictures from my trip.
At the start:
UPRR tracks:
Seasonal creek after RR tracks:
Working my way up:
...and up:
LNT:
At the start:
UPRR tracks:
Seasonal creek after RR tracks:
Working my way up:
...and up:
LNT:
I'm still rather convinced that you can achieve more than you've ever dreamed of if you just lower your standards.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 74 guests