Re: Ten lakes, mono meadow, Pate valley bridge?

Sorry- I think I previously posted in the wrong forum.

Just wondering if anyone has been through these areas in the last week or two. I saw a FB post on Rancheria falls loop and filled in answers to my questions for that one.

1. Rancheria falls loop .i.e Vernon lake tiltill valley: all trail streams passable? yes. Tiltill a massive bog? yes. Vernon thawed?yes.

2. Ten lakes: any lakes thawed yet?

3. Lower Ottoway lake thawed? Snow levels mono meadow and illilouette trail/valley? Assuming the ill. stream crossing may be dangerous

Trying to decide which trail for end of June/early July. Flying in next weekend! Getting stoked jazzed pumped...ect

Also...saw a FB post saying helicopter delivered timbers for Pate valley bridge! Can Anyone confirm this? Assuming bridge won't be fixed till late summer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/23/2019 09:13AM by Yosemrick.
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1. Outlet of Vernon was up to my ribz 2 weekends ago. Passable? ok.
Lots of peeps.

Everything will be down by now.

2. No. anything about 9K figure almost all snow

8700 ft. lakes were boatable last weekend. above that. not so much

3. No. But getting there. RPP looked fun. It'll hold snow thru labor day imo.

4. Pate bridge won't be fixed for awhile


Vernon:

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O. if you're in 100% snow... maybe don't walk away from your pack to poke around...

"Have you seen two backpackers?" was
"Have you seen two backpacks?"

This last weekend

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Quote
chick-on
O. if you're in 100% snow... maybe don't walk away from your pack to poke around...

"Have you seen two backpackers?" was
"Have you seen two backpacks?"

This last weekend

Oops. Bear?

Quote
The Other Tom

Quote
chick-on
O. if you're in 100% snow... maybe don't walk away from your pack to poke around...

"Have you seen two backpackers?" was
"Have you seen two backpacks?"

This last weekend

Oops. Bear?

No. They just left their packs near the BV / Chil Lakes junction and guess wanted to see BV Lake … we
pretty much literally came up to the trail and there they were... (which was pretty much how
the entire trip went) (w/I less than a minute... hit trail from off trail... peeps)
We just thought it was interesting and maybe not brightest …
"I left my pack right next to a tree"

I can see someone getting lost in the snow and not being able to find pack...

Anywho. It was interesting.

We had fun.

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Thanks for the follow up, ChickOn

Thanks for the update. U da bomb. Clockwise or counterclockwise to Vernon? We were thinking counterclockwise but if you go the other way you should be able to make to Vernon the first day or Lauren if we're gassed. I was hoping to spend 2 days at Vernon. Did you make it up to Branigan?

I was solo this trip. Didn't do the loop. Wapama was roaring... Even Vernon outlet was yummy...



I was prepared...

Wanted to see the outlet of Branigan SCREAMING. Falls Creek was... Branigan was down but still beautiful.



Mosquitoes were just starting. If you going there... you best be prepared.
Last year there weren't any over July 4th which was soooo nice.
This year... um... best of luck

Have fun

o... maybe Wapama still fun...
Looks like off the charts still from the data
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryDaily?end=2019-06-26&s=FHH

if curious on diff from last year...
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/dynamicapp/QueryDaily?end=2018-06-26&s=FHH

You can play around with the dates. But looks delicious. I checked it out on
the way out because I had the time... a few were going across...

Be safe

The rangers were sending Rancheria peeps to Smith and Cottonwood

Anyway. Enjoy

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Update- we decided to do ten lakes. June 30- July 3. I was able to complete the hike I had planned for last year (w/chick-on) but got cancelled due to the 2018 fires. It was awesome. We did not seem anyone for first two days. Camped at da lake below grand which was not frozen. Grand was grandiose. The first lake was thawed also. The other lakes should all be thawed soon.
Lower grant was fully thawed and delightful. Upper was mostly frozen but beautiful. I'm guessing it will be thawed within a week or so. Lots of snow everywhere. The trail was 95% snow covered to grant. Garmin GPS was extremely useful. Most snow "moguls" were 4-6 feet with an occasional 8-10 footer. Micro spikes were great for the sun cups at the pass and grant lakes trail. Ten lakes scored a 10. Route finding was very challenging due to the snow but it helped keep the peeps out and enjoyment up. Them skeeters were not buzzing yet either. Frogs and ducks were the trouble makers

Thanks chick-on for all your advice! I am greatful for the advice even if it seems like it doesn't get used it's always in the que for future adventures...aka 10425.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2019 04:19PM by Yosemrick.

Cool beans.

There were a HUGE number of cars at Ten Lakes TH and Porc TH and and and…
over the 4th.

We were thinking of doing Ten Lakes over the 4th timeframe but decided to do some other exploring.
It was gorgeous with almost no mosquitoes and perfect weather.
I would give it a F (for Fabulous)
I'd at least give the leader a passing grade.

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