High Sierra Topix

rlown wrote:Given we're talking about "this week", here's a pointer to a webcam looking west out of Bishop. Um, Not a good time to be up there unless donned in rain gear and a 4 season tent; maybe skiis..

http://bishopweather.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

we sent those on up north (i live in lost angeles) as the tropical weather low was hovering over LA for around 4 days before moving on. it's not a cold front tho but i can sure bring a dusting of snow/hail.

last october, kaweah gap



october 20'th to be exact...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTmSXa1ziNE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
the video was shot BEFORE all hell broke loose at nightfall.

You should always be prepared for snow in the Sierras at any time of the year. The worst time for me was at Tower Lake in 1992 on July 4th. It was blizzard for 12 hours straight. Always be prepared.

Texan

Lots of rain here this morning 10 miles south of Mammoth at Crowley Lake, with snow forcast down to 7,500 feet by tonight at the higher elevations (I imagine above 9 grand).
Here's another camera looking up toward Mammoth Mountain and toward the Minarets (also US 395, and SR 203: http://www.dot.ca.gov./dist9/cctv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

sierramel wrote:Lots of rain here this morning 10 miles south of Mammoth at Crowley Lake, with snow forcast down to 7,500 feet by tonight at the higher elevations (I imagine above 9 grand).
Here's another camera looking up toward Mammoth Mountain and toward the Minarets (also US 395, and SR 203: http://www.dot.ca.gov./dist9/cctv/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just heard that Tioga Pass is (temporarily) closed.

Rock slides closing highway 120 between Crane Flat and up to the entrance station into the park west of US 395.
Looks like Sonora Pass is closed for the same reason.

.....Tired of hearing from me yet? The clouds just lifted a little across Crowley Lake, and the White Mountians across the valley are covered with snow.....

Just heard a report from a friend up in Lee Vining that the Tioga Road may be closed for a week. Most recent Cal Trans report says the reason is "inclement weather", but they reported "rock slides" earlier this AM.
What? Are we mind readers?

Here in Mammoth Lakes, luckily not camping this trip. Rain of varying intensity all day with one bout of thundersnow earlier. Snow covering the tops of the Sherwins. Been here twice this season, twenty degrees colder than normal both times, ugh.

Remember those threads about a month ago about backpacking weather in October? A few of us tossed out sober warnings? Well I'm betting a few will be caught out in current foulness this first week of October wearing shorts and t-shirts after starting out during the warm weather of last week. This is how it happens.

SSSdave wrote:Remember those threads about a month ago about backpacking weather in October? A few of us tossed out sober warnings? Well I'm betting a few will be caught out in current foulness this first week of October wearing shorts and t-shirts after starting out during the warm weather of last week. This is how it happens.

Shortly after my return from my 5-day solo up to Ten Lakes in mid-September I began planning a 3-dayer up to Kibbie Lakes for the first week in October. It's an easy trip for me because it's real close to our home in the mountains. In and out, two nights, three days.

So, the last week in September I checked with weather.com's 10-day forecast for that area and saw that there were supposed to be scattered thunderstorms beginning Wednesday, Oct. 6, which was right in the middle of when I wanted to be up there. So, I decided right then and there to forget about that particular outing.

Then, on Saturday, Oct. 2, we had some serious clouding up at home, and by nighttime we were in the middle of one of the most spectacular thunder/lightning storms I've ever been in. The weather people were a little off on the start of the storm, but not the severity.

We live in the mountains at 3,400 feet about 30 minutes from the Big Oak Flat entrance to YNP, so our weather is a good indication of what it will be like higher up. It looked real ugly.

As the weather closed in here at home, and I could see the massive thunder cloud buildup over the Clark Range, I was praying that nobody was going to get caught out in that mess at higher elevation. There are very few things that scare me. But, lightning is real high on the list.

It will be interesting to hear reports as anybody who was out there comes back in.

Dave