[pct-l] So Cal Peak bagging this year?

[Gary Schenk]

It depends.

In early April these peaks will likely have snow pack. Experienced mountaineers have died on Baldy, San Gorgonio and Baden-Powell. These peaks get snow, followed by warmer weather. The snow partially melts during the day, then freezes at night. Then more snow will fall. So you'll end up with a sheet of ice covered by a thin layer of snow. This is a common condition and gets people all the time. Some people were injured on Baldy recently when the snow cover slid off the ice layer underneath causing a small avalanche.

I would approach those peaks with good boots, capable of kicking steps, crampons and ice axe and be ready to use them.

On the other hand, I've been on Baldy in January when it was totally dry. Last weekend on the north side of the San Gabriels the snow started at 6000'. 

YMMV

Gary
--------------------------------------------
On Mon, 2/6/17, Dale McDuffie <dale.mcduffie at gmail.com> wrote:

 Subject: [pct-l] So Cal Peak bagging this year?
 To: "PCT" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
 Date: Monday, February 6, 2017, 3:55 PM
 
 I'm starting my hike on March 27 from
 Campo and have a desire to bag 
 Taquitz Peak (via the Devils Slide Trail), San Jaciento and
 San 
 Gorgonio, IF, that is, the weather and snow levels permit
 it.
 
 I know to answers to what I'm about to ask have a lot of "it
 depends..." 
 answers, but I'll ask anyways:
 
 Have any of you PCT regulars bagged these peaks in early
 April? Assuming 
 there isn't heavy snowfall after mid March, will the trails
 to the peaks 
 be passable?  Will micro-spikes be sufficient to climb
 these or will 
 crampons/ice axe be required?
 
 Same questions for Baldy and Baden-Powel later in the
 month?
 
 Thanks!
 
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