[pct-l] Lassen over Memorial Day weekend?

[be hope]

>Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 15:08:45 +0000 (UTC)
 >From: hiker2009 at comcast.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Lassen over Memorial Day weekend?

>. . . . what about . . . . Humbug/Humboldt? Was the south end of the
Cascades in the
>low-snow or normal-snow belt this year? Humboldt is around 7100' . . . . .
.


Humbug / Humboldt / Carter Meadow saddle /Butt Mt. . . . . . . a neat place
in the Yana Volcanic Complex. I've parked at both Humboldt (in May) and
Humbug where pct crosses the trail to day hike. Don't know how safe it is
to leave a vehicle overnight at Humboldt: the shell casings at that place
makes me wonder. At this time of the year, there may be snow covering parts
of the access roads and the trail, particularly south of Humboldt summit
where the trail passes thru forested sections. Ditto for May snow
possibilities past the Carter Meadow saddle as one treks east then NE on
the pct headed to the Butt Mt trail spur (7700 -). Been there a few times
in May and dealt with snow: the 100 yards +/- past the trail spur ~~ on the
pct headed for hwy 36 ~~ can be especially dangerous re postholding as 1)
there are some particularly jagged rocks and 2) wicked snags just off both
sides of the trail. In taking the trail spur to the Butt Mt summit, I've
avoided postholding by leaving the trail spur and walking on the very top
of the somewhat flat ridge until joining the end of the trail spur located
at the beginning of the snow-free (one May) spree field leading to the
summit.


Hiking south from where the pct crosses hwy 36 and headed for Butt Mt, I've
hit snow 7,000 and higher in May.   One time in May returning from the Butt
Mt summit (7900 -) and headed for hwy 36, I did meet two hikers out for a
week trek.  Perhaps there is someone on the list that's been there this
month and can give current info. Even in a "low snow" year (like many parts
of the pct) I would still plan for snow-on-the trail and/or snow in the
sky during May in the Yana Volcanic Complex.

Another way to access the pct in the Yana Volcanic Complex is to take Road
28N12 which forks south about 100 yards from east of the Elam rest
stop/campground on hwy 32. Go 9 miles on an excellent dirt road to Carter
Meadow and spot a sign at a TH reading “PCT 1 mile → ” = Carter Meadow
saddle. Haven't been there in May; it would not surprise me if there was
still some snow on parts of the road and in Carter Meadow in May.

No matter where you head for Memorial Day weekend, have a wonderful hike !

be hope