the backcountry. It was everything we wanted. Snow, solitude, no bugs, beauty.
These are from my iPhone. I took a zillion more on my camera...
Nice to be back to having some snow over the 4th like in 2010 and 2011.
Budd Lake:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4265/34894510124_b360cb5554_b.jpg)
We were actually very "why wasn't the road open earlier!?!"
on account the snow didn't start in earnest until over 9K... and in 2010 and 2011
there certainly was more snow along the road. Quite honestly the
"wow" of snow wasn't there from the road.
Lower Cathedral:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4136/35348176130_a4b9c15421_b.jpg)
I'll let you do the math on Upper and Cathedral Pass.
Matthes Crest Av Zone:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4068/35604463141_2fbe0e799e_b.jpg)
Found fascinating. Got an "a ha!" on how the trees are snapped. (sorry but
sometimes you just don't think these things... sigh)
Echo Lake:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4218/35566601002_e7b093c4f2_b.jpg)
Gonna be boatable soon! Wooooo!
Matthes Lake:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4116/34894558994_beedcbb696_b.jpg)
hint: snow bridges are your friend!
Nelson Lake:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4229/34894565674_e14bb375c2_b.jpg)
There were 8 ft. snow banks on the side of the lake. And the entire basin
was yummy. But that is what we were looking for. We find it amazingly beautiful.
Reymann Lake:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4012/34894576344_03a4ea09b0_b.jpg)
Slow going on sun cups... but that's what hiking sticks are for.
Boothe Lake:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4216/35695770486_36d66cf429_b.jpg)
The "meadow" below... is not a lake... it just looks like that... that's why it's a meadow.
If you are familiar with the trails... the trail east of Emeric in the meadow... think
the same...
Vogelsang area:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4284/34894606024_ccdf8e3f04_b.jpg)
I climbed back up to Choo choo ridge... I need to go back...
Townsley:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4013/35695784446_41b829d523_b.jpg)
Check out the HUGE rock which fell and slid. Pretty much my favorite thing about
the trip. Well that and the Matthes Crest Av zone. Well that and how gorgeous
the place is. Well that and how was able to do a few new routes. Well that and
no bugs. Well that and this and those and these.
(showed Vog Lake already)
Vog Pass view:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4146/35566671832_b3a203901b_b.jpg)
All you Red Peak Pass fans... yeah... 100% snow for a LONG way down...
Ireland:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4058/35735902295_a72e0f1067_b.jpg)
Maybe you get an idea of the trail condition... maybe not. Sorry
Evelyn:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4260/35695817606_b8cc6f48e5_b.jpg)
One last one from camera:
![](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4131/35605145571_435a8d9edb_b.jpg)
It was clear on the 30th and the 1st... seems a fire in Owens Valley ??? and also
maybe south of park really flared up. Could smell smoke... sigh...
Anywho. Have fun out there.
![Chick-on is looking at you! Chick-on is looking at you!](https://yosemitenews.info/forum/mods/smileys/images/chickontrans-40.png)