2019 Backcountry Conditions Reports

[tomba]

Route: Trailhead near Lake Eleanor, Kibbie Lake (in NW Yosemite), Bartlett Creek, Little Bear Lake, ridge above Inferno Lakes, follow the ridge above Cherry Creek to Boundary Lake, swing above Many Island Lake, Kibbie Ridge trail back.

The crossing of outlet of Kibbie Lake was not hard. Water level to upper calves and not very swift.

Significant snow coverage in flat areas above 8000 ft. Snow well consolidated in late afternoon. No postholing. On the ridge it was easy to avoid most snow even though it is above 8000 ft.

The highest elevation section of Kibbie Ridge trail was practically impossible to follow due to a mix of fallen trees, water, and snow. Had to make significant detours. Waded the usual section of flooded meadow north of Lookout Point.

[maverick]

Posted on ESHB by Tina Denison:

[jorrflv]

Has anyone gone up to big and little five lakes yet in mineral king via Timber Gap and Black Rock?

[SSSdave]

Route taken:semi base camping Florence Lake 7.3k up river to Evolution Creek confluence 8.4k.

Difficult section encountered:Alder Cr, Sally Keyes Cr, Selden Cr, and 2 no-name others, modest rock hop and slippery log crossings that otherwise could easily be walked through at shin depths. A few minor muddy trail sections about Blaney Meadows could be walked around.
------------------

No snow along trail. Some patches in north facing shade above 8.2k. Trail nicely dry with little dust. Minor numbers of PCT/JMT groups moving north and saw no other out and back groups beyond 6 miles in. Florence Store ferry boosted rates, now $28 round trip.

Conditions for photographers in river canyon were optimal, huge river whitewater cascades, many white ribbon streamlets down canyon walls, snow on rim peaks and north facing ravines, very green and flowery with many mammals (no bear signs yet) and birds about.

[wildhiker]

Hiked from the Eleanor trailhead up the closed road (some gullied sections and numerous down trees) to Shingle Springs, then on the trail to Kibble Lake. Trail completely dry; no snow in sight. Brush is thick in the burned areas (from the 2013 Rim Fire) and encroaching in numerous places on the trail. Also about 10 downed trees on the trail. Waded Kibbie Creek below the lake - ankle deep. Surprisingly large amounts of algae in the creek! No mosquitoes on the trail, very few at the lake in forested areas.

Brush fields are mostly ceanothus (deer brush and whitethorn), in peak bloom. Also western azaleas blooming around Kibbie Lake.

[wildhiker]

We dayhiked from the dam around north side of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Wapama Falls (on Falls Creek) and reached it about 9 am. The falls are really booming! They were throwing forceful splashes across the first (westernmost) trail bridge and of course mist was everywhere. The Park Service sign was up warning that you continue across the bridges at your own risk. Young backpackers were making it through. We decided not to try. The two previous days had been cool, possibly reducing snowmelt and flow. If it gets hot again, Falls Creek could rise and make the Wapama Falls crossing more hazardous. Falls Creek drains a large watershed extending all the way back to the north boundary of Yosemite Park on the sierra crest, so high flows may continue for a while until the high snows are melted.

[oddtiger]

06/30 I climbed Split Mountain from the east side and was the only one at Red Lake yesterday. Trail is clear to Red lake and the lake is 70% open. From the lake to the top range it's ALL snow but in varying condition.


Pictures from the top South to North clockwise:

Split_1.jpg

Split_2.jpg

Split_3.jpg

Split_4.jpg

Split_5.jpg

[maverick]

Sierra NF:

Wilderness Reports: High Sierra Ranger District Trails.

Dinkey Lakes Wilderness – Inaccessible due to snow.

Willow Meadow Trailhead - From Tamarack can make it up to about 5 or 6 miles from the trailhead, if hikers want to walk in from that point they may do so.

Cliff Trailhead is inaccessible due to snow. No report on how far you can make it from the trailhead.

Kaiser Wilderness – Lots of snow! Potter Pass Trail is under snow and the lakes are frozen. Couple hikers got lost earlier this week because they couldn’t find the trail in the snow.

John Muir Wilderness – Lots of snow in some areas! You can access Florence to Kings Canyon (SEKI) trail has been cleared.

Mono Creek to the Recesses (no snow), Mono Creek to Silver Pass, snow level is about 9300’ and streams are passable due to downed trees.

Devils/Graveyard is covered in Snow, try to deter folks from going there!!!

Crown/Rancheria to Duck Lake (lot’s of snow and Duck Lake frozen, Woodchuck trail is accessible but lots of snow still on trail.

Ansel Adams Wilderness – Can access Doris/Tule Trailhead. No snow in this area, nice little hike!

[maverick]

Posted on SNCC-TPP by Kimberly Kolafa:

I can tell you Aloha was frozen yesterday. And solid snow from 8,000', many tree wells 6-10' deep.

[maverick]

Posted on SNCC-TPP by Kat Summers: