High Sierra Topix

Hi all. Heading from my home in Washington State to Sequoia NP in early/mid June and would like to get a backpack in to Mineral King while I'm there. 9,000 ft in early June would totally be out of the question here in the Cascades (not that there is much in that elevation here at all!), but is this doable there? I understand the snowpack is way below normal - woud it be clear at that elevation in a "normal" year?

Also, any problems getting permits to Mineral King? Everything I have read seems to indicate mid-week should be OK, but want some experienced feedback. Other options in the Sequoia NP area welcomed!

In a normal snow year, the lakes above 10,000' are still iced over at the end of June. The only time I went earlier than the first week of July was May 22, 2009 (average snow year) and I just went to the foxtail pine grove above Timber Gap. There was a fair amount of snow cover under the trees, but open ground on south-facing slopes was clear. North-facing slopes still had a lot of snow cover.

In 2007 (about 70% snow year) I went to climb Sawtooth the first week of July, and it was pretty clear all the way, with just a few patches of snow here and there. Other years I have gone the first week of July and there was still plenty of snow above 10,000'.

Right now it is probably still under 50% average snowpack, even with the storms that we received this week. I would expect there to be little snow at the end of June this year, unless there is a very slow melt this spring.

I usually don't have much problem getting permits out of Mineral King. You can check here

http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/r ... bility.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

to see current permit availability.

For snow survey data, check here

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snowsurvey_sno/PAGE6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unfortunately, the station you really need (Farewell Gap) seems to have been down all year. But generally the SEKI area is still reporting 40-50% April 1 snowpack. This should go up some when the next report is generated over the next few days that includes Friday's storm.

Meanwhile you can visually get a take on conditions by keeping and eye on the Mineral King WebCam:
http://www.mk-webcam.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;