[pct-l] Section H Questions

[Denis Stanton]

Hi David

I can supply a partial update to some of these points.  Conditions are changing all the time so you will want to get the latest reports.

I returned to New Zealand this morning after hiking SB from VVR to Florence Lake (Muir Trail Ranch) from Sunday 13th to Wed 16th, crossing Selden Pass

On 18/06/2010, at 10:32 AM, David Ellzey wrote:

> Question #3: I am expecting the snow level to be at about 11,000' and moderately deep, with much more on the north sides of Seldon and Silver passes. Accordingly I am not planning on taking snow gaiters, ice axes or crampons. Do my snow expectations sound about right?

We encountered snow on the PCT section from Mono Creek to near the Bear Ridge trail and again on Selden Pass.  The SB trail from the Mono Creek Bridge is a series of short switchbacks and is north-facing.  At approximately 8500 feet the snow patches were large enough to make it difficult to follow the trail and we had to pick our own course to minimize the snow crossing while remaining in contact with the general direction of the trail.  We didn't use an ice ace or crampons but it was slow going in places over hard snow.  We camped near the highest point on the ridge at the fist decent patch of dry ground as the day was fading.  Going south from there down to Bear Creek was easy enough.

> Question #4: I think the only 2 creek crossing in between Muir Ranch and Reds Meadows of any concern are Bear Creek and Mono Creek. Given that the snow melt is fierce right now I thought I would try (as best is possible) to hit these in the mornings. Are there any other crossings I am forgetting?

Mono Creek is not a problem as there is an excellent bridge.  If you somehow wandered away from the switchbacks and hit mono creek at some other point I don't believe you could cross it.  Stick to the trail and enjoy the bridge.

Crossing Bear Creak at Upper Bear Creek Meadows was potentially the most dangerous part of our hike.  We arrived at 7:00 pm (Mon 14th) and found the Creek running fast and deep.  We camped overnight in the large flat rock and meadow area on the north side.  I checked again at 6:00 am and found the creek to be a few inches higher than it had been the previous evening, contrary to popular wisdom about creeks diminishing overnight.  It seems the melt has setting in earnest and the creek may continue to rise.  We checked upstream and saw what appeared to be shallower patches of rapids, but decided that the places we were looking at might have very uneven footing so we returned to the point where the trail intersects the stream.  It may be slightly deeper there but the bottom is relatively even and less likely to have sudden unexpected holes.  I think this was a good decision.  The water came up to my hips (I'm 5' 8") and was flowing fast enough that I found I could not plant my poles on the bottom for stability as my arms/wrists were not strong enough to hold the poles against the current.  We crossed side by side supporting each other to brace against the flow.  It was achingly cold of course but with patience and care we worked our way across.  Apart from the two of us, thirteen NB hikers crossed safely that day.  

The only other crossing of note on that section was the Hilgard Branch, off Bear Creek about 1.2 miles north of the Upper Bear Meadows crossing.  The water was only ankle deep.  Enough to wet boots and socks, but not a worry.  On the south side of Selden Pass between Sallie Keyes Lake and the turn off to Muir Trail ranch there are two river crossings.  The northern fork of Sanger Creek has enough logs to cross with dry feet.  The southern fork is unfortunately a wide wet meadow. The trail is clearly marked by two lines of stones but on Monday 14th the whole area was under a few inches of cold flowing water.  Not at all dangerous, but impossible to cross dry.

That leaves Selden Pass itself, the high point of our hike.  The trail was mostly over snow when above 10,000 feet. We were on snow going SB from before Rosemarie Meadows on the north of Selden to below Sallie Keyes Creek on the south side.   Way finding was difficult at times.  In four days we met 34 NB PCT hikes and we were able to pick out a trial with the aid of their footprints, the Harrison maps ("Mono Divide High Country" or the JMT set), the tree blazes and occasional use of GPS.  Marie Lake and Hart Lake were both frozen over.  Sallie Keyes Lake was not, but the snow patches made it difficult to locate the actual trail.  In fine clear weather this was not a big problem as the direction was fairly obvious. The pass above the tree line was all snow but not a problem.  We did have trouble finding the trail across snow under trees.  

We had one ice ace, used briefly to cut steps near Heart Lake.  I was glad to have gaiters and plastic over-trousers for that section and for near the top of the south side of Selden Pass, but for the rest I was comfortable with my normal hiking shorts.  Plastic pants are preferable to shorts if you see an opportunity for a little tobogganing 

We hope to have photos online in few days.

regards

Denis "Walks with Son"
ably supported by Craig "Sunwalker"