[pct-l] JMT Trail Conditions

[dude at fastmail.ca (dude)]

there are probably no major blow downs;  much of the trail is above 
the tree line.  I would take an axe if it were me leaving on the 9th 
of July.

peaks will undoubtedly be covered with snow, but unless you plan on 
doing some peak-bagging, you wont have to worry about that.  there 
are many passes over 12,000 ft on the JMT, and my guess is that they 
will still have some snow at the time you are talking about being 
there.  i would suggest contacting the witney portal ranger station 
and asking them how much snow is between ridge-crest and the summit.  
that ought to give you a good idea of how much snow is still up there 
(however, that will still not be perfect, as many of the passes get 
less sun than that section of the whitney trail).

the water levels in the streams will also likely be pretty high.  the 
peak flow rate in Yosemite for the entire year was 3 weeks ago.  You 
gotta figure that there is still some significant snow up there and 
that its still melting fast.  The good news is that it has been 
melting less and less and the runoff will continue to get lighter as 
the summer progresses.  play is safe, and be prepared for more than 
simple knee-deep crossings.

Have a great time.

peace!
dude



> I'll be leaving on a JMT thru hike on July 9th starting from
> Yosemite and plan to finish atop Whitney around July 27th.  Does
> anybody have up to date information on the trail conditions along
> the JMT?  How is the snow pack on the peaks? Will an ice axe be
> needed for any sections?  Are water levels very high now? 
> (difficult river crossings?)  Any major blowdown sections?...
> 
> happy trails,
> 
> David.
> 
> 
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