[pct-l] JMT in early June

[sierra_marmot at yahoo.com (John Randall)]

Dude's advice is good.  Take an ice ax and wear a shoe/boot that can cut edges in the snow instead of traditional trail running sneaks.  I think the snow will still be packed and that you'll be ahead of post-holing.   Crossing Silver Pass Creek just above Pocket Meadow will be difficult.  Evolution Creek and Bear Creek crossings will be challenging.   
Muir Pass should be awesome but not hard.    You will not be able to follow the trail on the north side of Mather Pass, which has a 70-yard section near the top that is icy.  You'll be better off hiking the snowfield.   Climbing the north side of Glen Pass will get the butterflies going.   It's do-able but intimidating if you haven't done this kind of scrambling before.  The same goes for Forester.  The route goes up a "spine" from Lake 
12248, which if icy and covered with snow could be very challenging.  A climb up the snowfield might be the better choice, especially if there are footprints from the early season northbound hikers.   And then, there's that buggery 20-foot crossing of the col on the south side.  Make sure you have plenty of film.   You're going to have an E-ticket thrill ride.   Curious, where are you going to resupply?  Will VVR be open?  I doubt if Muir Trail Ranch will be open.
 
john


		
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