Want to do a 2-night trip next weekend and am thinking of a couple different options inside and outside Yosemite. One thing I have yet to cross off my list is Cathedral Lakes. Assuming permits won't be a problem--big assumption, I know--anyone know what the conditions are like that direction? I'm also looking at doing the White Wolf, Smith Peak, Aspen Valley loop. Never been to that area and would like to try it. Anyone know if White Wolf road is even open? Also thinking of doing something along the North Rim. Decisions decisions . . .

I have an idea.

You go to Little Lake and I will go to Big Lake


No way, no how they open White Wolf Road next weekend.
Well... I guess they could... but I'd bet Twinkies to Donuts they don't.
No need anyway really... if ur doing Smith Pk loop... just start from HH Road.
Best of luck crossing Middle Fork though. Been stymied there before...
but also have crossed it using logs in one place.... and by Cottonwood enduring
excruciating pain due to cold water.

Cath Lakes.. if you like snow...

Hopefully it's game on next weekend... maybe I'll see you out there.
(I'll be carrying snow shoes this time) (Pretty sure Joe wanted to punch me last yr. for convincing him otherwise)


Have fun

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Dontcha worry, Little Lake is still on my list, maybe in July when the skeeters are friendliest.

I had never done Cathedral Lakes and did it July, two years ago, the heavy snow year. Much of the trail was snow covered still and we never did reach the lakes. We lost the trail where you hit the meadows, wandered around the flooded meadow, took pictures until after sunset, then tried to get back before it got dark. At one point, not far from the meadow, you cross a stream. We got lost crossing that stream on the return and if I had not used my GPS on the way in, and therefore had the track back feature to use, we would have never found the trail. We had wandered around in the waning light and before I pulled out the GPS, had gotten about 50 yards off trail to the west.

My point is, if there is snow, you should probably return in the light, or have a good GPS.

Hi Chick-On,
Are you going up near Tuolumne this weekend? If you drive near the Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes TH, could you give me an idea of what the snow is like? I am going to Ten Lakes in a few weeks and keep seeing all kinds of differing views of how much or little snow there is.
Thanks!! have a great weekend!!

I'm "stuck" at home this weekend.
(Happy Wife, Happy Life)

Maybe Davey Llama can take some pictures. He said he was driving up there...
If not pretty sure plenty of peeps that frequent this forum will be driving by.
Maybe they can take some pictures and post them for you.



Won't have anything more first hand until the 20th.

Have fun

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chick-on
(Happy Wife, Happy Life)

You're not taking her bushwhacking through thorny manzanita this weekend?

Quote
eeek

Quote
chick-on
(Happy Wife, Happy Life)

You're not taking her bushwhacking through thorny manzanita this weekend?

I wish

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Quote
chick-on

Quote
eeek

Quote
chick-on
(Happy Wife, Happy Life)

You're not taking her bushwhacking through thorny manzanita this weekend?

I wish

I'm sure she'll forgive you.

Um... you make it 20 years when you share some adventures together...

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Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes looks fairly high and dry...at least from the road

Quote
hikerchick395
Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes looks fairly high and dry...at least from the road

Um... for the 3rd straight year I gave you the correct date.... no where's the pix darnit!?

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I was snooping around for photos from opening day only found this:
on someone's blog
And more:
More pics Tenaya Lk, lupine , valley etc

Hope she doesn't mind me linking to her blog!

Thanks for the info hikerchick!

Hotrod, I'll be in the High Country on Friday and will scope out Cathedral Lakes for you. I hiked it last May 25, a similar low snow year and was able to day hike to Sunrise HSC and back, though I had to use micro spikes in 6-7 spots before the lakes. Nothing major but I know the trail very well from hiking it countless times. It would tough if you don't know the trail. There will definitely be snowy spots and you will have to posthole it for sure in the shady spots.

Just got home from Young Lakes/Conness. Interesting conditions.

Below the 8600 ft, there's very little snow. Plowing didn't take much work. TM Campground is pretty dry. About as snow-free as I've ever seen it on opening day.

Go up another 500-1000 feet and conditions change pretty quickly. In fact, this is as much snow as I've ever seen on opening day, going back 5 odd years.

It's shaping up into a nice bed of Sierra cement but I'm glad I brought my snowshoes.

Any mosquitoes?

None at all.

Only skeeters I saw were a couple in the Valley. It's still getting too cold at night above 6000 feet for them, thankfully. On the other hand, it got cold camping up on Snow Creek Friday. Wish I'd have paid a bit more attention to the forecast. Got some speckles of snow on the way to Watkins.

I went over from hwy 108 out of the Leavitt Meadows campground starting Friday and went over Dorothy Pass into the park. Came out of hetch Hetchy today. On the other side snow is 75% covering the ground from cascade creek to lake Harriet. From Harriet to the pass it's solid. On the park side, it's solid from Dorothy through grace meadows. From the meadows to Wilma it's close to 75% coverage. After wilma its pretty clear snow-wise. There was 3-4 feet of snow at the pass (9600' I believe). Dorothy, Stella and Bonnie lakes are still frozen over. Got mosquitoes a few miles past Wilma. Stopped at Vernon for breakfast today and they were out in force.

As usual. Great pix.

First time went to Dorothy wit Z Old Dood and the wifie... Fourth of July...
Looked like this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,51886,52151#msg-52151

Good fun hiking around frozen lakes and up Forsyth... I think I have a picture maybe.

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chick-on
As usual. Great pix.

Give me a break, I was on my iphone driving home last night when I posted that.

There, happy now?
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,66444

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oakroscoe
I was on my iphone driving home last night when I posted that.

I thought I was crazy...

And yes, I'm happy now...

Well... I'll be happier come Friday... but I can't complain...

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