High Sierra Topix

No trails, no footprints in the snow. No indicators to tell you that you are standing on several inches of hollowed-out snowdrift about to fall through to your death. No clear understanding that "hiking in" isn't going to be walking 2-3 mph but maybe .5 - 1 mph and then stopping when the snow gets too mushy in the afternoon and going a couple miles per day because it's so hard to go on.

No, snowshoes aren't going to help. They won't keep you from falling through snow bridges. There'll be lots of those.

It's not winter, but it's not summer, and it's not just a hike... the rangers aren't doing you any favors. They probably don't think you're getting very far either but they've likely figured out that trying to convince people is wasted effort.

You aren't going to get to Thousand Island Lake without navigation skills and a LOT more time than you probably have. A lot more food, a lot more stove fuel to melt snow for water...

An example:

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thanks guys. will consider something else. anybody know of any other trails worth hiking? 3 night.

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Read this, give us some answers so we can suggest accordingly, but this year, with these conditions, there are not a lot of options yet:
http://www.highsierratopix.com/communit ... f=1&t=4205

level 3
Class 2
forest and fishing
4 days 3 nights
10 miles a day max.
hiked 14,000 elevation no prob.
prefer loop
anywhere in Sierra
most difficult in Sierra is Rae Lakes
no dogs


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Lake Vernon Loop out of Hetch Hetchy, but I reluctantly recommend this because of the high temps all this week, which will make creek crossings even more dangerous, but you can do an, out and back trip, and therefore not have to cross the outlet of Vernon, nor have to deal with the snow on the trail descending to Tiltill Valley or cross the bridge at Wapama Falls. Fish is pretty descent at Vernon's inlet and outlet streams.
This is a 10.7 mile hike, one-way, with a 3000 ft elevation gain. You will have some snow in the middle section of the hike around the Beehive area.

Earlier report: http://www.highsierratopix.com/communit ... ke#p119328

maverick wrote:Lake Vernon Loop out of Hetch Hetchy, but I reluctantly recommend this because of the high temps all this week, which will make creek crossings even more dangerous, but you can do an, out and back trip, and therefore not have to cross the outlet of Vernon, nor have to deal with the snow on the trail descending to Tiltill Valley or cross the bridge at Wapama Falls. Fish is pretty descent at Vernon's inlet and outlet streams.
This is a 10.7 mile hike, one-way, with a 3000 ft elevation gain. You will have some snow in the middle section of the hike around the Beehive area.

Earlier report: http://www.highsierratopix.com/communit ... ke#p119328

the last time I hiked Hetchy was a few years ago when there was a fire. has it covered?

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It is fine.

maverick wrote:It is fine.

are you recommending the rancheria falls or beehive meadows trail head?

last time I went to laurel. is that route ok?

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Beehive meadows trail head.

last time I went to laurel. is that route ok?

If you can find a safe place to cross Frog Creek.