Bishop, Mather and Taboose Pass Snow free?

[Saxon]

We are planning a South Lake to Taboose trail head trip for later in the summer. We are two guys with medium experience, Multiple six day trips over
Mono Pass and in from Florence Lake. Not cross country or snow hikers yet.

With this year's snow pack is it possible to gauge when a snow free trip over those passes could be planned?

[FrankPS]

I think from mid-August on, you should be good. You're not opposed to walking over small patches or snowfields, are you? The danger starts when the snow is steep. And firm.

That is a trip I've been looking at for a few years now. My only concern is the drive to the Taboose Pass trailhead (without a high-clearance vehicle)

[khamike]

This year's snowpack is roughly the same as last year's at almost exactly 100% of normal. So the best thing is to look at the 2024 data in the copernicus browser. Here is Bishop Pass on July 1, 2024 for instance, still some snow but relatively clear. You can move around and look at other locations or change the date to get a sense of how quickly the snow melts.

I've actually got a trip planned for that area in the beginning of August, following the HSR from Bishop Pass to the Upper Basin then back via Amphitheater Lake. I don't expect to see any significant snow. I thought about going in via Taboose but it's just so low and hot.

[maverick]

khmike wrote:

This year's snowpack is roughly the same as last year's at almost exactly 100% of normal.

According to the April 1st report from the Department of Water Resources the Southern Sierra had 84%,
Northern Sierra/Trinity, and 118% and the Central had 103%.

[Saxon]

Thanks so much for the good info.

[mt.eo]

I backpacked from South Lake to Dusy Basin July 11-13, 2024. We did encounter snow coming over Bishop Pass, but there was a solid boot-track and it essentially just felt as if we were walking on a trail. Given that this year seems to have slightly less but about the same snow level as last year, by early-mid July you should be fine. I would like to preface that I have no experience of Taboose or anything in between, though.

[Wandering Daisy]

The north side of Mather Pass may have snow. I did an early season 6/7-15, 2022 and there were a ton of PCT hikers on the trail, which meant lots of tracks when there was snow. I diverted around the steep part of Bishop Pass going in, but when coming out the snow was reasonable on the trail. Once it starts melting it goes pretty fast. Upper Taboose faces east-should be OK. Another issue may be crossing SF Kings Creek at the PCT.

2022 was a very low snow year, so conditions may be similar to early July this year.

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