Yikes, didn't expect to see that much snow from this storm. I've been watching the glacier point web cams closely this week and there was no where near this much snow in that area. This has me worried though, was planning to do the Buena Vista loop this weekend, hope we don't run into that much snow at 9000 ft.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Smoke was pretty bad at lower merced pass lake on saturday but it blew out by sunday.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This data trend has me a bit concerned though: http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/yosecam/yose_datatimelines_pm.cfm I'll be heading out to illilouette starting tomorrow, hope the smoke doesn't take a turn in that direction.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Those blowdowns are what had me and a buddy say F-THIS last year and turn it around back to mono meadows. I'm tempted to try it again this year with 5 days off over labor day weekend. I'm curious to see the rest of your report!by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I would be in that 25-30# group if it weren't for the BV500 (41 ounces empty) Normally carry 1.5 liters of water, platypus gravity works filter (so awesome!!)by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've got the NeoAir all-season (19 ounces) and I've been eyeing the XLite or Xtherm to shave some weight but I've seen some reviews of people complaining about noise. So long as it's not like sleeping on a potato chip bag I think I'd be ok (well, it's more about whether the gf will be ok with it as I toss/turn at night).by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
How's the crinkly noise factor with the XLite/XTherm?by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Does anyone know what the conditions are like out to Ostrander lake? Thinking about a trip out there for memorial day and was wondering if it's iced-out and how much snow to expect on the way there.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I wish they would post pictures larger than a postage stamp.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I've read in a few places the snowpack is concentrated above 8k elevation (where it's supposedly at around 70% of normal) but below that tails off rapidly. It's kinda shocking to see it like that at 7k elevation this early. Thanks for the pics!by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Chilnualna for memorial day. Lyell canyon to thousand island lake and back over 4th of july (snow/girlfriend permitting) then Glen Aulin to Whitewolf in september!by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just got back from lower merced pass lake. We didn't even make it to Ottoway (orignal plan) due to all those down trees and a late start from mono meadow TH. Hadn't been out there before and the trail was difficult to follow at times because of all of the debris/ down trees which slowed us down even more. Mosquitos were vicious at dawn/dusk, bring deet. Seasonal streams are all dry as a boneby BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Another thing to be concerned with is spreading disease on the bottom of your boots. We have lots of sudden oak death in the bay area and I carry a can of lisol in the car to spray down the boots before going hiking to help prevent the spread of it.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks, if you want to see a larger version: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandonlevinger/7399427814/lightbox/by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
They are out but not horrible yet. I packed a head net but never really needed it. Was able to get away with natural bug juice, didn't need to break out the deet.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Camped about 1.5 miles from the base of Donahue pass at the end of the canyon. The ranger said the pass is still covered in snow but navigable.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Spent a lovely couple of days in Lyell canyon this past weekend. It's still early spring and the flowers are just starting to bloom up there. The fishing was ok for catch/release, all the 5 inch brookies you can handle! The trail was slightly muddy in certain areas but overall it's pretty dried out. The creek crossings are all very easy at this point as well. And now some pics:by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks chick-on! I figure I'll head up and give it a try unless anyone knows for sure that it isn't open, worst comes to worst I'll have to try my luck at White Wolf or Hetch Hetchy.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm heading out tomorrow and I see the TM campground is sort of open at this point but can any of you kind folks tell me if the backpackers section is open yet or will I have to take my chances with a first-come first-served site?by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Asked about this route last week for july 4th timeframe and the ranger told me the creek crossings shouldn't present much of a challenge. Last year Red Peak pass held snow till late in the season, don't know about this year but I wouldn't be surprised to find lingering patches up there. I think theres fishing in lower Ottoway but don't know for sure and I doubt upper has anything.by BrandonL - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion