[pct-l] KM to Kearsarge Snow Conditions

[roger_pct at yahoo.com]

------Original Message------
To: thebigfig1 at yahoo.com
Subject: Snow Conditions
Sent: Jun 14, 2010 9:06 AM

Tom,

This is a report of the snow conditions that we experienced after Kennedy Meadows.

From Kennedy Meadows to trail pass, there is virtually no snow, and any that we passed over was easily managed. By now there are so many tracks trudged through the snow that way finding is easy.

Past Trail Pass towards Kearsarge pass the going is a little tougher. Generally south facing slopes are dry, and north facing slopes are snow covered. But again, there are foot paths through most of the snow. I never felt too far off the trail when walking, and only once was the terrain steep enough that I needed to use an ice-axe. This place was just before Crab Tree Meadows, and it was a short glissade.

Several people have summited Mt. Whitney... A few people have turned back. Currently the trail is buried in snow, and so the first third (the switchbacks) is done largely as a rock scramble, or a steep ascent straight up the snow. After the switchbacks, the ascent up is fairly easy.

After Whitney...
Crossing Big Horn Plateau:
The entire plateau is covered in snow, afternoon post holing makes it a difficult crossing, but again very doable because it is relatively flat. Way finding is difficult as no trail is visible. However, with a little knowledge of how to use a map, one can find their way down to Tyndall Creek to set up a climb over Forester pass.

Around Tyndall creek 80 percent of the trail is covered in snow, but footpaths should do a good job directing the way... But always use the map... As not all foot paths lead the most efficient path.

Going over Forester Pass:
Avoid crossing Tyndall Creek. Instead follow it upstream until the flow has split into feeder streams that are largely hoppable, or fordable. The ascent is low sloping snow until the final 800 feet. Good steps are cut into the hillside... And just before the top, rocky switchbacks are available. The ice chute at the top has deep steps, but the snow is still hard, and the crossing is a little unnerving. There is a very small scramble over rocks and snow at the top, that will probably be easy to cover by the time anyone who reads this gets there. Ice Axe highly recommended.

The north side of forester is largely snow covered, and way finding is harder. We dropped down on the left side of the ridge and avoided crossing any streams. Use your map, and don't go to far down the ridge before cutting left (shortcut) or right (actual trail). Ice Axe highly recommended.

The walk along Bubbs Creek is 90 percent snow covered, but easy to navigate, as the trail just follows the creek.

Kearsarge Pass had a fair amount of snow at the base, but it clears up the higher you get. The climb can easily be done without an ice axe. The east side has a long snow patch that would be easier with an ice axe, but we saw several people go without an ice axe. After dropping about 700 feet, the trail out to Onion Valley (Independence) is 50 percent covered, and in another mile it becomes virtually snowless.

Overall, the snow is pretty easily managed. The difficult part is the stream fords.

Rock Creek is running heavily, but 2 in our party forded the creek, and several used one of 2 trees crossing the creek upstream.

Wallace Creek is pretty manageable, but a little wet.

Wright Creek was the hardest crossing. One person almost fell, another fell to their neck, but had someone there to grab them.

We did not need to cross Tyndall Creek at the trail. We hiked far upstream, but I heard some hikers did cross it. (Looked worse than Wright Creek).

All other crossings were very easy, some rock hoppable, some slow flowing. Most in our party are continuing north...some are jumping trail to Ashland, as the stream crossings were too difficult.

Anyone with an ice axe, and confidence in stream crossing should be fine leaving Kennedy Meadows at this time.
Do the passes in the morning, as post holing is exhausting.

Hope this helps, shoot me an email if you have any questions.

Psycho + Apricots
http://northboundheartsong.blogspot.com


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