[pct-l] Echo Lake to Belden CA ( Snow Conditions?)

[Leemarsden at aol.com (Leemarsden@aol.com)]

Dave and Niki, 

I just completed Section M, Sierra City to Belden, from June 2 to June 10.  
As you know, the snow starts about 6000', but can be heavy, light or 
nonexistent up to 7500' depending on the tree cover and whether the trail is on a south 
facing slope.  On this section the elevation reaches 7500' and is regularly 
above 6500'.  

Fortunately, the snow was quite firm and soft to a depth of a few inches.  It 
was "sticky," not slippery, and generally I got good traction.  I hiked in 
New Balance 807's, a trail shoe which is heavier than running shoes, but lighter 
than boots.  They have low tops; below the ankle.  

I brought snow shoes but didn't need them, brought crampons and did use them. 
 The trail is covered by steep slopes north of Mt Etna and Stafford Mt. and 
for some reason the snow wasn't soft there.  I could usually make steps in the 
snow by just stamping, or if it was too hard, stamping my heel, but it was 
hard to do there.  I might have been able to make it across those slopes without 
crampons, but I was by myself and didn't want to take any chances.  

Used crampons for about 2 miles, only. It took me 4 hours to cover that two 
miles. 

I didn't use the switchbacks on the east-facing slope east of Gibraltar, or 
the trail running below the face of that cliff.  Instead, I went over the top 
of Gibralter and the ridge west of it and then around back to a saddle and met 
up with the trail. This route was on south-facing slopes and ridges and missed 
all the snow.  

I used trekking poles regularly in the snow.  They made hiking in the snow 
and all the required cross country much easier.  

The main problem was loosing the trail because it was covered with snow.  I 
had to rely entirely on the map, a compass and visible landmarks about 30 to 
40% of the way. Of course that 30% to 40% took 70% of the hiking time, because 
using a map is so much slower than just walking the trail.  

At Buck's Lake Road it rained for a day and a half and I had to get off the 
trail. The trail was covered with snow and there was no visibility, so I 
couldn't get my bearings.  I had to wait until the visibility improved.  

If I did this section again, or if I was planning to do a lot of hiking in 
similar conditions I might bring a GPS and/or a pedometer.  

Hope this helps.  

Lee Marsden