So we're planning on climbing Cloud's Rest in about 3 weeks. Any news or input on this hike from the valley? I know there is a lot of weather happening between now and then, but is the mist trail a possibility? Party of 4 with 2 being very proficient in winter climbing/hiking and the other 2 having minimal experience. Thanks

I'd assume the mist trail is doable considering the minimal snowfall we have had this year. 3 weeks you say...presidents day weekend? I'll be out in Yose that weekend and am planning for CR too!
So far forecasters are saying its going to be relatively dry with maybe a 1 or two minor storms for Feb.

Yeah, President's Day weekend. Thinking of camping at the HD/JMT intersection.

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VengeanceASX
Yeah, President's Day weekend. Thinking of camping at the HD/JMT intersection.

Nice! Same. We are planning to get to the Valley friday then heading up Sat and hopefully reaching CR by Sun. Just worried about the Valley crowd though. May delay to the following monday.

Yeah, it's going to be Firefall Weekend. Might be sleeping in the truck.

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VengeanceASX
Yeah, it's going to be Firefall Weekend. Might be sleeping in the truck.

damn completely forgot about that. We are planning to hit the trail around 4-5am. If you want to drive up friday night, you can spend the night at our campsite in upper pines.

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VengeanceASX
So we're planning on climbing Cloud's Rest in about 3 weeks. Any news or input on this hike from the valley? I know there is a lot of weather happening between now and then, but is the mist trail a possibility? Party of 4 with 2 being very proficient in winter climbing/hiking and the other 2 having minimal experience. Thanks

Search this forum and you might find my post from a few days back. The conditions probably haven't changed much even after some decent snowfall as the daytime high is in 50s. The snow level and snowpack right now are very similar to what I had during my trip.

NWhkr's CR trip report

https://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?17,91356,91378#msg-91378

According to the post in the general section, the mist trail has reopened

We won't be in until late Friday night and we'll have to get permits on Saturday. I spoke with a ranger yesterday and she said snow in minimal around LYV. Bear containers are required until 7200 feet. I checked that trail report and I can't believe how little snow there is. We did this same hike about 3 years ago and had to turn around less than a mile from the top of CR due to slush up to our chests even with snow shoes on.

Wow, that's a lot of snow. Yeah, I don't expect any snow at the junction where we camped unless there is 1'-2' of new snow. Nice clicks, thanks for sharing.

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VengeanceASX
Bear containers are required until 7200 feet. .

Just FYI. I believe one still needs to hang the food for bear safety as per park guidelines.

Yeah, we'll be hanging our food.

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VengeanceASX
We won't be in until late Friday night and we'll have to get permits on Saturday. I spoke with a ranger yesterday and she said snow in minimal around LYV. Bear containers are required until 7200 feet. I checked that trail report and I can't believe how little snow there is. We did this same hike about 3 years ago and had to turn around less than a mile from the top of CR due to slush up to our chests even with snow shoes on.

Yea.. the webcam at 8k feet paints a grim picture too. Might not even bring snowshoes if it stays the same

Sorry, 2 years ago. Here are some pics to give you an idea of those conditions

towards Cloud's Rest




I'm the on the left

Nevada Fall


Little Yosemite Valley


Vernal Fall


Yosemite Valley Camp 4




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2018 09:45AM by VengeanceASX.

One more week! Any one know if there is enough snow or other water source between LYV and CR to stay up past the Half Dome/JMT junction? Or should we just stay at LYV?

CR Junction has water...
The CR spring was not really flowing last week...
(I wouldn't / didn't rely on it)

As for snow... probably... more than likely... but it has been VERY warm lately...
and now there is a "storm"

All depends where exactly you plan on setting up...

There SOO little snow... either LYV bear boxes... or bring a bear can.
(it's not winter rulez imo)

have fun

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So if we set up at the CR sunrise lake Trail/JMT junction, will we be able to filter water or melt snow?

If not then we'll stay at LYV. Just trying to work out the logistics. I guess we could always see if Sunrise Creek is flowing when we start up towards CR from LYV.

Yes

This is flowing:
https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.744954,-119.503162&z=16&t=t4

(I've never NOT seen it flowing)

Sunrise Creek is also flowing...
(which can be gotten to from CR / JMT Junction pretty easily)

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Awesome, Thanks!

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chick-on
Yes
This is flowing:
https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.744954,-119.503162&z=16&t=t4
(I've never NOT seen it flowing)

Yup it was flowing in mid-January and I don't see any reason why it won't be flowing now..unless it freezes and it's much lower than the freezing range as of now. one might have to go a few steps upstream from the junction to get the flowing water.

Not sure if we found the well-touted camping spot that's mentioned in this forum. We camped about 50' left of the CR trail and west/left of chick-on's marker. It's an established campsite with a clear section free of trees.