Re: Current Snow, trails, streams conditions to Benson lake

Greetings,

We have planned to hike to Benson lake from Twin Falls later this week and I'm looking for any trails and streams conditions report from someone who's just coming back from around there. Our current plan is to do the loop following the rancheria creek to Kerrick canyon to Benson lake coming back through Matterhorn canyon. But we may have to change our plan depending on snow conditions.

If you've been in that area recently, we'd really appreciate if you could share your perspective on current conditions. Alternatively, any recommendations/pointers on gear that makes hiking in snow a bit less miserable would be greatly appreciated as well.

TIA,
Ben

Well... I think perhaps you mean Twin Lakes to start.

Yes, snow is melting... but I don't think 5+ feet of snow melts in a little over a week.
So... take a look at this in case you didn't:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,40408

Peeler Lake and a bunch of Kerrick Canyon are shown in those photos.

You list your experience as advanced... so you have a chance.
There's a myriad of stream crossings.... if you can get to Peeler then you have a shot.
If you're lucky the sun cups don't drive you batty in Kerrick...
My guess is that most people who attempt this with these conditions bail.

I could detail every crossing... but maybe just follow this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,40809,40935#msg-40935

As for gear... hiking sticks... I personally wouldn't bother with ice axe or cramons or spikies on that route this time of year.
(and yes, Mule is steep headed to below Snow Lake... so just don't do it in the morning)

Best of Luck

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Thank you! And yes, we're starting from Twin Lakes (had Idaho on my mind for some reason). Thanks again.

Found some stuff on the other forum that I posted on in previous years w/r to that loop.
I recommend you read them.
There's also a few photos that may be of interest.

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1181

http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1205

If I was going on that loop... I would go Robinson Lakes first and over Mule then Burro.
Reason?
Well, if you are hesitant on Mule then you can just play around and won't be stuck.
Matterhorn Creek you are stuck with crossing (twice). Again, if this is too much... it's not tooooo
far to just turn back around..
Rancheria Creek in Kerrick Canyon I would avoid crossing entirely if need be and instead go towards
Arndt and then, if need be over Rock Isle Pass... avoiding Peeler entirely...

Give Jeff a call... he may dissuade you or give you some sound advice that can be conveyed
over the phone better than what I can write.

Have fun
Be safe

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This is great advice. Remember that the snow on Burro and Mule passes can also be pretty darn steep. I'd want an ice-ax to do Mule Pass right now...and the creek at the bottom is almost certainly going to need a snow bridge.

There will be one....but be careful!

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Yeah, I've said Ice Axe in the past. I just carried the darn thing too many times and end up never using it in snow conditions
where you sink in 6 inches. Your call of course.
If it were me... for this trip... I would have a number of plans... depending on how everyone felt.

First... def. go clockwise if doing the loop...
Second... forget the loop and go Rock Isle Pass to Seavey Pass to Benson... then come back out the same way.
Can avoid many stream crossings that way and you get The Riviera prolly mostly to yourself.
Getting around Robinson Lakes could be exciting, but you have to expect some excitement... isn't that what life is about?

Also I'd give myself an extra day for surprises or "screw this noise" moments...

Be safe, Have fun. Eat your Twinkies

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