High Sierra Topix

9/2-5: Just completed loop from Onion Valley to Rae Lakes with side trip to Sixty Lakes Basin.

Monsoon weather pattern made for a dynamic itinerary scenario and contingency planning...

JMT trail traffic was 8-10. Mosquito's 0-2 most everywhere. Smoke was 2-5 morning of 3rd but cleared for remainder of trip as front moved in. Glen Pass is devoid of snow on south side. North side has a small lingering snowfield below headwall and some trail damage do to avalanches just below the Col.

Flora and Fauna a solid 10. Almost like spring in Fall. Purported Bear activity 8-10 but personaly only witnessed occasional scat in Charlotte Lake area. Lots of Mule Deer Bucks possibly in early rutt?

Day temps were 60-80F, Night temps 30-40F. FWIW, I used a 32F rated bag and wish I had the 20F... Sleeping in all your clothes isnt fun, somebody call a whambulance!

Side trip to Sixty Lakes Basin from Rae Lakes was amazing. Traffic 0-3 with only a few overnighters in the basin. Sunset on west facing Fin Dome was spectacular and full moon made for easy night hiking back to base camp.

NPS weather is forecasting westerly conditions to kick back in sometime around the 9th, could also usher in heavy smoke...

Happy Trails,
D





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Dana
Topix Novice

Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:36 pm
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker

Hi Dana,
Any chance of a couple photos? Like Fin Dome? And, for future reference, it's often been the case all this Summer that Bodie/Tahoe Valley or some other locale in CA has logged the daily low temperature for the whole US. If those places are recording low 30s, high 20s, you can be sure it'll be chillier higher up. I know it's nice to shed the extra weight, but it makes for long nights! Cameron

Sounds like a great little trip Dana. How did you make your loop? That area really lends itself to amazing circles, both short and long.
Does your note on mosquitos (0-2) mean that they were scarce? I hardly saw or more felt any on my recent trip.
Thanks for posting, and welcome to the HST. Harlen

The post is not worthless. Without photos, perhaps it would more approriately belong in the "Condtions" sub-forum. There is good information on conditions.
But, yes, photos and more detail would be wonderful!