Re: High Sierra Trail Conditions

Anybody have a report on the High Sierra Trail from Crescent Meadow to Bearpaw?

Eeek,

My first post here. I'm the current lead moderator of the JohnMuirTrail@YahooGroups. Before I became an avid JMT hiker, I did the HST for 6 years. I know the Yahoo Group, sequoiakingscanyonhikers@yahoogroups.com focuses on SEKI trails, including mostly the HST.

At the JMT YG, we keep a great links of all of the current condition web pages, including SEKI -- you don't have to be a member of the JMT YG to enjoy our links:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/johnmuirtrail/links/Current_conditions_001262975433/

The SEKI links of relevance are:

Current Conditions in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park
This Current Condtion pages covers more about weather for drivers in the park rather than hikers but still may be of use. Also see the link elsewhere on this page, entitled "Current trail conditions - Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks".
http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/currentcond.htm

Current Fires in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park
This is the current fires web page for Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park.
http://www.nps.gov/seki/naturescience/current-fires.htm

Current News Releases from Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
This is the Current News Releases from SEKI (Sequoia/Kings Canyon) National Park Service.
http://www.nps.gov/seki/parknews/newsreleases.htm

Current trail conditions - Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Appears to be a frequently updated page of trail conditions in Kings Cyn NP, including the passes on the JMT from Muir Pass to Whitney. Link changed/updated 6/11/2011.
http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/trailcond.htm

This last link has sublinks to these parts of Sequoia NPS.

IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
Lodgepole/Wolverton
Foothills (Ash Mountain)/South Fork
Mineral King
Kern
East Side (Inyo National Forest)

Last update was 7/15

I've been following this forum via Google Reader for some time and I think your forum is fantastic for Yosemite Park news. I'm really impressed with this group. It's nice you do RSS pushes out to Google Reader fans (our group does too but you might have to subscribe to get the RSS pushes, I'm not sure).

Roleigh Martin

ps. I am doing my 4th JMT in one week. Looking forward to what might be the most exciting July JMT hike I've ever done with the snowpack, etc.

I have the SEKI links but they don't seem to be updated very often and it is unclear if the trail conditions given are current.

I googled the topic and find some interesting late July reports.

http://tahoetowhitney.org/content/open-thread-high-sierra-trail-condition-reports
(July 15-16 trail report)

Wow, I found a great realtime link:
http://www.findlocalweather.com/pinpoint/us/ca/high+sierra+trail/current572221.html

By the way, I see your reply, Eeek, SEKI gives a date of 7/14 on their HST report:

High Sierra Trail/Kaweah Gap 7/14

Trail is snow-free and clear of debris to Bearpaw Meadow. Stream crossings are becoming easier (none above mid-thigh). Beautiful wildflowers. All campsites are snow-free to Hamilton, but only one functioning food-storage locker at Hamilton.

7/14 report from visitor: Above Hamilton there is a snow-bridge still remaining just pat the gorge. Hikers can crawl under without a pack. Precipice Lake is still 95% frozen. Snow level is at 10,000 ft. Trail is completely covered in snow from Precipice to Kaweah Gap. Map & compass advised. Other visitors reported 90% snow and snow bridges up to Elizabeth Pass.

7/11 South from Bearpaw through River Valley: snow-free, clear of debris from Bearpaw Meadow to Redwood Meadow. Thigh-high, fast crossing at the Middle Fork. Easier to cross upstream 1/4 mile where there is little white water. Lone Pine Creek is thigh-high in the afternoon, but improving.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2011 10:04PM by marti124.