R03 TR: Cottonwood and Little Lakes Valley 6/18-6/20 2023

[Love the Sierra]

I will not bore everyone with a long narrative this time. We scouted Cottonwood Lakes trail and the Cottonwood Pass trail, Hiked Little Lakes Valley and up the Mono Pass Trail as well as Hilton Lakes trail.

[c9h13no3]

Bear Creek Spire, not Julius Caesar :-)

Great pictures! It’s gonna be a weird hiking season.

[dbargaehr1]

It’s gonna be a weird hiking season.

That's no joke, especially given how cold spring has been!

[michaelzim]

Indeed...that cornice is EPIC! Thanks for the pics.
M.

[grampy]

Thanks for the photos (and your description in the Conditions forum) - they are quite helpful !
I’m planning a recon trip myself, in early July, with day hikes on Hilton Creek and Lamarck Lakes trails. If conditions still look doubtful, I may pivot to a strictly car-camping trip for my AZ grandkids and my daughter & son-in-law for my Sierra trip with them later in July.

[texan]

Thanks for the TR. Lots of snow still to melt.

Texan

[rayfound]

I assume this was this week?

Planning a quick trip up SF Cottonwoods 4th of July, I wonder if we should consider elsewhere...

[grampy]

Rayfound -
Her report in the “Conditions” forum was for 6/18.

[Love the Sierra]

Hi,
Yes, sorry, this was 6/18-6/20.
I was afraid to cross Cottonwood Creek. It is white water. However, another HST Member commented that he crossed on a log.
Thank you C9h I had been staring at the map debating which peak that is.
Grammy, I saw a TR in a FB group and it looks like N Fork Big pine has snow like LLV, but at least no hairy creek crossings. Hilton Lake trail was delightful and we got great views of Mount Huntington and the Whites. Exhausting because of the snow, but only about 60% snow covered.

[Love the Sierra]

Sorry, the pic labeled Mount abbot is Mount Huntington taken from the Hilton Lakes trail. I am changing the caption now. Sorry for the confusion, I was really tired and wanted to get these posted asap.