[pct-l] A plan for detouring around the Sierras

[Stephen Clark]

Oregon snow conditions aren't much better than those in California or
Washington. Crater Lake has a reported snow depth of 10', 164% of the
average for this time of year with daytime highs only around 31 degrees.
Willamette Pass is still reporting  7 - 10 feet of snow at the 6600' level,
and Mt Hood comes in with a total of 52' for the season with about 13' still
on the ground.


While your idea of skipping the Sierra  for the Cascades a good one in most
California heavy snow years with less in the northern Cascades, this season
the entire west coast has seen unprecedented record snow fall. It is my
opinion that you'll not find it any better farther north just yet.
If you haven't had taken any advanced mountaineering courses it would be
best to just get off the trail until late June or early July even with
skipping the Sierra.

I am a very experienced hiker, hiking the Sierras and Cascades for 30 years
in all kinds of conditions, and have one of the heaviest snow years on
record, bottom to top. I am waiting until later to tackle this season's
hike. After all The trail is something to experience, the flora, the fauna,
the geology... not just something to be completed.  If all one sees for 1800
to 2000 miles is snow what's the point?

Quackers