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Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 7:34 am
by Beantown
What would the conditions be like for going up the river trail to thousand island lake and surrounding area for 3 nights backpacking on memorial weekend? Lots of snow or little snow? Snow shoes or micro spikes? When does the road open down to reds meadow? Thanks

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:01 am
by texan
I think its too early, there will be lots of snow. Mammoth still got 232 inches of snow this year, almost 20 feet.

Texan

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:13 am
by markskor
As of May 1 (today), snow level is somewhere just below 9000 feet elevation here in Mammoth.
Lakes above 9000 still are solid white (iced over)... thawing...but not that quickly.
Snow is crappy too - post hole hell - 2 feet-deep trudge and both micro spikes or shoes don't work.
Stay tuned?

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:31 am
by Beantown
Thanks I'll keep an eye out if things change

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:46 am
by markskor
8800 looking down.jpg
Yesterday at 8900 foot elevation, looking down from atop Twin Lake Falls, Mammoth.

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 10:24 am
by overheadx2
Mark, how nice is it to just go for a afternoon stroll to check the back country conditions. I am truly jealous.

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 2:34 pm
by markskor
Was just thinking the same today...Sorry.
While the snow right now is terrible - 2 feet of post-hole fun atop chossy ice, the roads up around Mammoth Lakes are, due to the recent hot sun, all clear. The Upper lakes (anything above Twin), are still frozen over but soon enough - ice out. Because of the ice atop the lakes, they won't open the roads until the lake edges thaw/ ice out as they are afraid of the flat-lander idiots walking down and falling thru the edges...Hence its only bikes and hiking on the roads above Twin right now. Excellent!

Today's "training" route: (BTW, 63 degrees today, blue sky and no wind) - Park the car at the old Whiskey Creek lot - 2 1/4 miles up to Twin - another 2 1/2 miles up to Mamie outlet - Horseshoe (elev 9200)... (Total 1100 ft elevation gained) - backside around Mary and back down...~12 miles. Roads were dry and saw maybe 3 people once above Twin...(You saw the photos?) -
Jealous? \:D/

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 4:15 pm
by Shawn
Don't mean to hijack the thread - but when would you 'spoz Mary will thaw out?

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 4:24 pm
by markskor
When will Mary thaw?
Maybe a week tops.
Today walked all the way around and lake color has changed from pure white -> off white... exit, though shallow, was open, as well as a few stream inlets - enough to jig , not to cast. Unfortunately, the one open area (stream coming down from George) had someone already there...with a 3 pound 'bow.

Try again tomorrow...You want more pics?
Mark

Re: Thousand island lake backpacking memorial weekend

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 4:29 pm
by Shawn
Hey, pics would be terrific, thanks. Wife and I are headed that way at the end of the month. Was hoping to see some water with enough white stuff to keep the bugs down. Very much appreciated..........