April 18th - 19th conditions

Questions and reports related to Sierra Nevada current and forecast conditions, as well as general precautions and safety information. Trail conditions, fire/smoke reports, mosquito reports, weather and snow conditions, stream crossing information, and more.
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rams
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April 18th - 19th conditions

Post by rams »

Just thought I'd post photos to give an idea of snow levels and water in a handful of areas. After spending the night just outside of Lone Pine, I drove up on Saturday morning to Lake Sabrina, followed by a few hours skiing Mammoth and scoping the surrounding backcountry, followed by a quick drive up Rock Creek to see Little Lakes Valley before it got too late. I slept in a different location then drove back up Rock Creek to hike to Hilton Lake #3 on Sunday. I can't believe it looks like this in April.

There's no snow up to Sabrina, which resembles a dirty meadow right about now.
sabrina.jpg
Many south-facing slopes in the Bishop region are in summer condition (in April!).
horton.jpg
The larger lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin are mostly thawed and Horseshoe Lake looks like it may be a meadow by the end of summer (barring lots of thunderstorms). The Ritter Range has a very high snow line for this time of year and it looks like one could get to a lot of lakes without encountering snow. Did I mention it's only April?
mammoth crest.jpg
ritter range.jpg
donahue pass.jpg

Rock Creek Lake is completely thawed and the snow in Little Lakes Valley, but not necessarily the slopes surrounding it, is disappearing. The flow in Rock Creek is pretty weak right now.
rock creek.jpg
mack lake.jpg
The Hilton Lakes trail is summer-like on east facing slopes but turns to spring/winter when you get to north facing slopes. There's a stretch towards Hilton Lake 3 where footprints are your trail because the summer trail is buried. I don't think that'll last, though.
dry hilton trail.jpg
hilton trail.jpg
hilton3.jpg
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seanr
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Re: April 18th - 19th conditions

Post by seanr »

I had been curious about those spots. Thanks!
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maverick
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Re: April 18th - 19th conditions

Post by maverick »

Thank you for posting these pictures, will be helpful to anyone considering visiting these places, and
needing to know the real time conditions on the ground. :thumbsup:
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Sierra_Summits
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Re: April 18th - 19th conditions

Post by Sierra_Summits »

Thanks for sharing!
"Heaven is here on Earth!"

--Bob Marley
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