Yosemite Valley to the Cathedral Range and back via JMT to LYV: 12/2-12/7/2024

[Harlen]

In the Sierra it seems like winter is still arriving. Snow level in the first week of Dec. was about 6500 to 7200' depending on the slope aspect. For example, people were booting up into LYV with no trouble, and I removed my snowshoes above that level, at around 7200, to get out of the heavy, snow-sticking things! The snow depths varied from just a foot to 30', and it was troublesome, as either an unconsolidated fluff; a nasty, breakable crust; or a heavy sticking mess that turned snowshoes into "leg irons."
Other than that, it was beautiful. Perfect windless weather, blue skies, and pretty warm weather. As high as 50 degrees in the day, and never colder than 10 degrees at night.
The Bears are still out and about, fattening up on pine nuts-- I saw a mother and her cub, and traveled much of my time on and off bear trails recently made. Some open water available still, for instance at Tenaya Lake, but none at all above 9,000.' Beware the sticking snow phenomena; I reckon it would have happened to ski bottoms as well, so take some "glop-stopper" for your skins. Good Luck.