[pct-l] Snow Continued, An El Nino Year Perspective

[Ken Marlow]

There was talk of this year being described as a La Nina year, but only I only recently got back on this thread and wasn't following reports about El Nina since our last big rain event. 

I"m just section hiking this year but I  solo thru-hiked the El Nino year of '82: Consolidated snow in the Lagunas, the second day out (back then the traditional start date was April Fool's Day) and snow at Mt. San Jacinto, the rest of the San Bernardino's and Angeles NFs at elevation. The highway in the Angeles NF was closed when I walked through there.

When reaching the Southern Sierra, back then one could only rely on someone's word while on trail. A  Ranger said that it was white-out and avalanche condition. To the best of my knowledge, only a group of three pushed through the Sierras: Solo'r Chris Townsend of Scotland(?) who hooked-up with two others for safety. Others flip-flopped. I thought the Southern Sierra was too risky, couldn't afford a flip-flop and ended-up walking Hwy 395 getting back on at Echo Lake. Plenty of snow until just before Donner Pass.

Section hiked the Mt. Laguna on four Sundays from Boulder Oaks. Finished out to Sissors Crossing this last Sunday Northbound was in only 3" of snow about a month ago in the Lagunas, all gone now. But wild weather these last two Sundays up there. Pioneer Mail to Mason Valley TT in 20-30 mph winds w 50 mph gusts, as easterlies. Same last Sunday, but westerlies with chance of precip. We were thankfully walking down and out into a rainshadow all day, but black clouds behind us.

When finished and picking up one of our vehicles at the start up top, weather was full-on high winds and horizontal rain turning to horizontal snow driving south (and up). Branches on the road, our vehicles getting buffetted. There was accumulation in the southern Laguna but an insignificant amount by the late afternoon.

-Ken M.