Too Hot to be Good

[Wandering Daisy]

See the trip area under the mosquito report. I usually do not go backpacking first half of July because of mosquitoes, but this year was different, so maybe conditions were more normal than appeared to me. But, I fear for the poor fish this year. Already, all the lakes except the highest, had very warm water, lots of algae, horrible water quality conditions. Some of the fish looked a bit heat exhausted. I swear that it hardly got to 50 degrees at night, 80's during the day even at 10,500 feet! Hot, hot, hot! Dry, dry dry! The San Joaquin River at John Muir Ranch was mid calf deep. Flowers already look droopy. 85 degrees. I sat in a little deeper pool in the river - too hot to go into the hot springs. Add 85 degrees, south facing slope, sandy, no shade, and the JMT from JMR to Seldon Pass was brutal - likely 95-100 degrees. Last day when I left it was overcast - hope things cool off.

[AlmostThere]

There may be a trend in this - backpacking in bikinis....

It is BEASTLY. I had intended to go climb a dome (not Half Dome) in Yosemite and instead opted for a shorter hike near water last Sunday. Very glad I did. We spent more time in the water than hiking!

Absolutely miserable. And the wilderness on the coast is already to "no stoves" status!

[Rockchucker]

Yea it's way hot this year, I've been working construction outside here in Bishop!!! Yuck.

[maverick]

AlmostThere wrote:
I had intended to go climb a dome (not Half Dome) in Yosemite and instead opted
for a shorter hike near water last Sunday.

Wait till next month or even worse September.

[AlmostThere]

I have an awesome trip through Deadman Canyon in August.

Now I'm afraid it will all be dead and brown.

[maverick]

AlmostThere wrote:
I have an awesome trip through Deadman Canyon in August.
Now I'm afraid it will all be dead and brown.

Alpinemikes recent TR to the area shows plants/bushes still green and water in creek
still flowing well, though that could have been due to the thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms are supposed to continue all thru this weekend so hopefully this rain
will keep things from completely drying out by the time of your trip AT.