High Sierra Topix

Sonora Pass looks like a possible slog, with unsafe conditions. Check here.
http://www.esavalanche.org/Forum/viewfo ... ccb33674b9

I have Sat/Sun and would like to meet somewhere between Olancha and Mammoth.

How far do you have to hike up to the LLV area from the parking area? Virginia Lakes how close to the lakes can we be can't remember if no camping is allowed or just no camping within x feet.

I plan on using snowshoes I don't have any xc or bc skis. I could rent some skis for the trip I guess if needed, I don't think I want to bring my downhill skis. How much use would we have for skis after hitting camp?

I will check the mileage latter, from memory, under 4miles from the parking to Mosquito flats, under 2k ele gain, trail head/camping at 10k+

Cool option, meet at parking before 5pm Friday or Sat. get picked up by snowcats, taken two miles to lodge for dinner, hike the road by headlamp to Mosq flats and camp. Or breakfast ride on Sat morning is also an option, all leaving 2m of hiking to M flats, and beyond. Just brainstorming

I think the mileage is 5 miles from the Sno-Park. Its 2 miles to Rock Creek Lodge, and another 3 miles to Mosquito Flat. Last time we hiked out in 2.5 hrs.

Ridgeline and a few others know where to ski in that area. I snowboarded Pointless Peak, which is near Rock Creek Lake


Pointless Peak: http://community.webshots.com/album/338156725UdVdYT


Virginia Lakes has skiing around the lakes, but not sure how far in we'd have to hike with the new snow.


Virginia Lakes : http://community.webshots.com/album/346546031BBrIws

Don't mind backpacking in the dark; done it many times. Don't mind hiking in the snow in the dark; hiked down from Mono Pass in Nov. at night, no flashlight. Don't mind setting up camp in the dark; done it many times. However, backpacking in and then setting up camp in the snow in the dark is another matter; I'm fairly incompetent when it comes to that, especially with numb fingers. You can ask Snowy about that! I like the Saturday idea better, if that's what we were to do.

That snowmobile ride seems like the way to go, and leave more time for skiing or snowshoeing!

Sounds like Virginia Lakes is not safe right now.

I think maybe Rock Creek on April 8-9th? Who's going? I brought my splitboard and snowgear home, so I'll be ready!

If its still dumping, Mammoth Mountain can be our backup?

Trail Bud and Me are still on, most likely snow shoes only for this trip, TB has no gear, and I have a broken binding. Trekker, there is a hut at mosq flats for $35 a night, stove and logs included. They charge per person for sleeping their, maybee TB and I will get it and others can use it to warm up in. Is there a rental shop in Mammoth to rent AT gear? gear we may want to purchase, Im ready to switch from three pins and there are so many options I wanted to rent a few times. Otherwise, we may check out conditions on shoes over to Mono Pass.

If others are going to be on snowshoes I'm interested in this trip.

I have an extra pair of snowshoes if anyone is interested. They are 8"x28".

The website for Rock Creek Lodge says that to stay in the hut they require you to have an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe - I don't have a beacon or probe; so I guess the hut is out for me.

I have stayed in the hut before with no Av beacon. They recommend them depending on what you are doing in the backcountry. A few weeks back I saw very little snow on east facing slopes of Starr. Back around 1983 an av came down Starr, up Morgan and back down, you can still see all the trees lying down from the impact. The conditions are not anywhere near that right now. The hut is kinda small, three people in bags with gear is about all that fit comfortable, but the stove is awsome, pots/pans and logs included and five or six can sit and warm up.