Where to go?

[Gogd]

Some pulk designs may pose a challenge ascending above South Lake to the upper basin, as the route entails a good deal of traversing across significantly inclined slopes. Otherwise the other suggestions are very pulk friendly venues.

The road to South Lake is usually clear to Parchers by mid April, and often open to just below the South lake trailhead. Frequently there will be an early April "Easter" storm that dumps a load of snow, and that may temporarily close the road. But the DWP is keen to gain access to South Lake, as it is a significant asset they'll want access to, so they can ready it for the thaw. Call ahead for conditions!

Ed

[c9h13no3]

Maybe this goes without saying, but you probably want to pick 3-4 options and choose based on weather. If you're willing to drive between Lassen/Shasta & somewhere in SoCal, it's possible you could find a weather window. 3-4 day weather windows have been few & far between this season.

[Love the Sierra]

Thanks so much to all of you!!!
So, after researching the pulk, looking at road conditions and snow conditions and weighing all of my options, I am totally discouraged.
I will be hoping for a good window of opportunity at the end of May.
I even considered going up Lake Mary Road, camping somewhere around Mammoth Pass and touring around from there. HOWEVER, Tamarack and Lake Mary road are closed for the entire season! I never like to ski groomed trails and the “free side” of Lake Mary road is always a zoo of people, so the closure, per se, is not what is disturbing. (In fact, the most fun I have ever had in that basin is right after a storm before the groomers can get in!) What is scary is that if they cannot get the grooming machines in for the remainder of the season, what chance have I got to skijor in?
Rock Creek Road will not be plowed to the snow park for a long time, apparently. Also, after the first turn off towards Tom’s Place, the road narrows and is right under a mountain. In these conditions, seems like an avalanche waiting to happen and I do not want to ski under it. Shoot, I was afraid to drive the plowed road under it when we skied it in December. (I drove really fast past it.)
Maybe they will open some of the local roads and I will get one night out close to home? Bad consolation prize. Every forest road in Los Padres and Angeles forests are closed right now!

[c9h13no3]

I am totally discouraged

I mean, this doesn't look that atypical. And the SNO-Parks on the western side in the Sierra National Forest on the way to Huntington Lake are open. You can weasel your way into Yosemite.

If you're looking for low avalanche danger, it's probably going to be a while. But there's still plenty of places you can go that are low angle and present negligible avalanche risk.

[Harlen]

Aura, what about that idea to ski across Echo Lakes up to Lake Aloha? It may well be open, and it is a beautiful ski. I want to call it zero Avie risk, but that would be irresponsibe. There could be risk somewhere along the way this year, but I'd bet it would be fine.

It is definitely good that you are taking this heavy snow year seriously, and if you err on the side of caution, you will live to ski another day. Good luck, Ian.

[Love the Sierra]

@Ian, I am concerned about that mile or so at the very beginning on that granite as you pass Echo Lakes. I am talking about the narrow rocky place that you have to traverse near the houses.
That is why I had asked about crossing on the lakes. I thought that might be safer but, after the discussion, I do not trust it. Yes, I could go and assess once I get there, but it is a really long drive just to realize I cannot even get two miles from the trail head. I know the trail and after I pass echo lake, it would be a great ski!
There is a local hike that is narrow rock above a creek, much like the Echo Lake beginning of the hike. In the winter, the path is wide and stable from snow build up and, actually, feels safer than in summer when it is wet and slippery.
@c9h13no3 HMMM going into Yosemite from Huntington…. That is something I never thought of. I will have to look at maps. I am totally unfamiliar with that area.
Thank you both for your encouragement!!!

[paul]

Having skied across Echo Lakes a number of times I would be very comfortable doing it again; you just have to pay attention and look out for blue near the narrows between the lakes and near the inlet. The last time I was there we stayed west of the inlet stream.
I think maybe the comments about Huntington and Yosemite might be separate ideas. Yes, there are a number of snow covered roads you could head out on off the road to Huntington, and yes, you could find a way to work into southern Yosemite from the west, but the two don't go together too well. I have started a couple ski trips from Huntingoton Lake (rancheria falls road) but it would be a long and winding road to get to Yosemite from there.

[paul]

If you go up 108, the Herring Creek and Cow creek roads, both before the sno-park, would be mellow terrain for a pulk, and minimal avy risk because it it thick forest. Probably see some snowmobiles, but maybe not a lot since most go from the sno-park I think.

[paul]

Expanding on the ideas for the road to Huntington Lake (hwy 168): go past Shaver Lake, then there is some fairly significant ascent until you cross what the topo has labeled as Tamarack Ridge. In the next few miles after that, there are a few roads leading off to the east. All the terrain in that area is pretty mellow, and forested, so little to no avy risk. Nothing special other than snowy forest, but plenty of that. Fairly good chance of snowmobiles in that area.

[paul]

Also, going back to hwy 108, if you go to the Crabtree XC ski trailhead just below the Dodge Ridge parking, you are heading up on a snow-covered road towards the Aspen Meadows Pack Station and the Summer Crabtree trailhead. Pulk friendly, no avy risk. Some views from a spot just off the west side of the road shortly before the pack station, where the road crosses the ridge via a gentle saddle. Might be some more views about a mile and a half up the road where it crosses another ridge, but I can't recall.