Re: Clark Range Loop mid May 2015 (Red Peak Pass -> Post Peak)

Hello,

I hope to do this loop mid May (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=824847). I know the East side of Red Peak typically holds snow well into the summer, but this has been a unique year. Has anyone been in the Clark Range lately? Do you think microspikes will be sufficient to make my way or should I bring snowshoes? Finally - does this route have any water crossings that are likely to be impassable?

Sky Ranch road is listed as closed however the Ranger granting me permits did not seem concerned about the road to Quartz Mtn opening in the next 3 weeks. Does that sounds correct?

Thanks for any help you may give.

Happy trails,
Matt

Went up Red Peak Pass a couple of weekends ago:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?17,79306,79306#msg-79306

We brought snowshoes mainly b/c it had just snowed a couple of feets of snow...
and looking over from Glacier Pt... it appeared that shoes would be helpful especially if
we bombered and camped at Ottoway on day 1... which would then ... allow me to
convince Z boss to just do the entire loopy...
Anywho... we didn't NEED the shoes ... and certainly could have gone over the other side
and dooz the loop... but... we didn't go over the other side...
microspikes were very useful b/c there was ice and snow ... and we put our snowshoes
on simply for fun where it permitted in a VERY distance...

Anyway... you will be fine... the snow is melting ridiculously quickly... I'd bring microspikes
and just posthole up the east side... thought I'd go up the west via Ottoways...
on account it's a whole lot more fun glissading down...
Anywho.. water crossings should be non-issue.

Plus by mid-May the biggest runoff will have LONG occurred.

That's my two dollars worth.

Have fun

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Thank you! This is great Intel, I really appreciate it

Ur Velcome

The trail was poking out on April 12th.. and it was melting FAST...


Snow may hold a bit... but you'd be carrying your snowshoes for most of the trek.
Def. would take spikies... since Post Peak Pass may hold snow til past your date...
From April 12th:

If the trek across the plateau becomes painful... you could dump down to Turner and get out of snow quickly...

But I doubt it will be much issue... and if it is... sorry...

Illilouette was non issue... and there was not much snow / any at all over the BV crest ...
So... I just would not worry a bit about any crossings...

Have fun

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Thanks again! I'm thinking I'll do the loop clockwise (red -> post) like you mention. If I the snow is very deep looking down from Red and I'm short for time I'll reverse course back to Ottoway, spend the night, and make my way back out the next day.

whats your second picture of and where did you take it from?

Quote
sendintheclowns
whats your second picture of and where did you take it from?

both those were taken from Red Peak Pass... z top...
looking ENE and about ESE
ish.

The second one you ask of ... Ritter and Banner in distance
and a whole lotta Yosemite

Is that enough info?

Take a look at the links above... and you can find more pix with larger view..

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Hello!

I couldn't complete the loop last year due to a storm that rolled in during my trip. I will have another opportunity for a weekend in the mountains in 2.5 weeks (June 5/6). Is there any chance this loop will be doable with microspikes given the current snowpack? Are the streams likely passable?

Eager to hear your thoughts.

Best,
Matt