suggestions for fall backpack oct 3rd weekend

[tim]

I guess the question is which high sierra trailheads can you be confident to be plowed out of if a freak storm came in and trapped your car? Are there any?

Wolverton is plowed year round and has no parking restrictions in winter. Hump Trail to Lakes Basin is a ski touring route and there is a snow play area and winter camping at the parking lot. If you avoid the Watchtower I wouldn't worry about going there late season.

[maverick]

Generals Hwy, from Grant Grove to Foothills (southern end of park) stays open year
round. It may close for a short period for plowing after a storm, and you should be
carrying snow chains, especially this time of the year in your car anyway.

[schmalz]

I remember going up to the eastern sierra for fall color in 2011, first weekend of October I believe. There was a snow storm a couple of days before we got there. The North Lake road was a bit sketchy, but driveable, and the whole stretch to South Lake was completely clear. I didn't get the impression that the road had been closed for very long, but maybe it can be a similar situation to the Agnew story posted above.

[AlmostThere]

Generals Hwy, from Grant Grove to Foothills (southern end of park) stays open year
round. It may close for a short period for plowing after a storm, and you should be
carrying snow chains, especially this time of the year in your car anyway.

my hiking group has discovered the hard way that it can close and not reopen til spring between the parks, but not in drier years. never heard of it being plowed.

[maverick]

Hi AT,

Maybe you are referring to Hwy 180 between Grant Grove and Cedar Grove, the
Grant Grove to Foothill section (Generals Highway) is open year round.
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