[pct-l] Tahoe snow condition now

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

The road into Echo Lake Resort is almost free of snow, but the Desolation Wilderness area still has up to 7 feet of consolidated, hard, easy-to-walk-on snow (but posting in the afternoons). Snow shoes are not necessary. Nighttime temps are getting warmer and the thaw is accelerating, but the creek crossings are nothing like those below the longer canyons of Kings/Sequoia/Yosemite.

Navigation through the forest in this area is challenging. You need to be very topo-savvy and be able to integrate your GPS tracks for the trail with what you see ahead. For future spring hikers and next year's thru hikers of the PCT/JMT/TRT, you should get some experience in this type of below-timberline navigation before finalizing your plans and finishing all your preparations. Go out now and do a little snow-hiking to see what it takes. The nice thing about the Tahoe Rim Trail is that it is not far from civilization and if you get lost all you have to do is follow a snow-bound creek down to the communities around Lake Tahoe. Cell phone coverage is pretty good around the Lake, too. A great training area for any hike as the sections of the Rim are usually about 2 to 4 days in length, good for weekend practicing!


Mountain Education just returned from another leg of the Tahoe Rim Trail and will be going back out on Monday to do the PCT-shared portion up to 'Echo. We should be able to give everyone an accurate update on that area on Tuesday the 21st.

If anyone wants to join us for that 2-day snow-hike between the Big Meadows TH on hwy 89 and the Echo Summit TH on hwy 50 for a little Snow Skills Training, just email us right away!

The next Snow Skills Training will be 6/23 to 28 between Echo Lake Resort to Tahoe City for a 6-day stretch. If you are preparing to thru hike next year, this kind of trip would be something you should consider doing to realize the reality of what you need to prepare for when it comes to snow-hiking in the Spring.



"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org