2019 September backpacking
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 1:04 pm
Am expecting a fair number of members have at this point moved out some of their backpacking plans to late summer. What about your plans late summer?
It has been interesting reading trip reports of those undeterred that have embraced hiking into the expansive high country white mushy sun-cupped snowfields that lingered this year further into July than during any others of my lifetime. Not only was 2019 one of our deepest ever snow packs, but then May when snow often begins melting quickly, was unusually cool and stormy not only delaying melt but actually adding depth. June was more normal but then July has been cooler than normal. Interestingly we are increasingly now reading mid July reports of more mosquitoes than normal in some areas, an indication excessive high country surface water has also delayed the peak of those enemies.
Labor Day falls early this summer on Monday September 2, that allows more days after that holiday when kids are back in school, visitors fewer, and quotas more likely unfilled, to fit trips in before weather begins changing too much as it often does later in September. Lurking ominously that has thus far been absent is the late summer smoky fire season that has plagued we enthusiasts over the last couple decades. A single bout of hot dry offshore winds across the state could abruptly change that but lets hope that does not happen. As in the past after big winters that will make this September special is our as high country greenery, wildflowers, small ephemeral streams, and snowfields (and no mosquitoes!) will also last further into late summer.
My one group trip this summer, an easy 5-day fishing focused base camping trip to Duck Lake from Mammoth Lakes that I expected to get in late July has now been pushed out till early September. The caltopo High Res image showed the surface melted out over a week ago but it won't be till mid August for that basin to green up like I prefer. Thus have tentatively moved that out to after Labor Day. After 6 fine days above Florence L reservoir 4 weeks ago in the snow free canyon, will next week be up in Desolation and then have some open dates to fill before my big Rolling Stones concert date August 18. Immediately after that have been expecting to go over Shepherd Pass for 10 days, however will need to see how my less than fully healed right foot (plantar fasciitis last fall) feels after Desolation. Just might get in 3 September trips as have a tentative date above Saddlebag with a never ever backpacking senior gal from the east, and maybe another round over Bishop Pass when turfy dwarf bilberry and arctic willow peak with fall leaf color.
It has been interesting reading trip reports of those undeterred that have embraced hiking into the expansive high country white mushy sun-cupped snowfields that lingered this year further into July than during any others of my lifetime. Not only was 2019 one of our deepest ever snow packs, but then May when snow often begins melting quickly, was unusually cool and stormy not only delaying melt but actually adding depth. June was more normal but then July has been cooler than normal. Interestingly we are increasingly now reading mid July reports of more mosquitoes than normal in some areas, an indication excessive high country surface water has also delayed the peak of those enemies.
Labor Day falls early this summer on Monday September 2, that allows more days after that holiday when kids are back in school, visitors fewer, and quotas more likely unfilled, to fit trips in before weather begins changing too much as it often does later in September. Lurking ominously that has thus far been absent is the late summer smoky fire season that has plagued we enthusiasts over the last couple decades. A single bout of hot dry offshore winds across the state could abruptly change that but lets hope that does not happen. As in the past after big winters that will make this September special is our as high country greenery, wildflowers, small ephemeral streams, and snowfields (and no mosquitoes!) will also last further into late summer.
My one group trip this summer, an easy 5-day fishing focused base camping trip to Duck Lake from Mammoth Lakes that I expected to get in late July has now been pushed out till early September. The caltopo High Res image showed the surface melted out over a week ago but it won't be till mid August for that basin to green up like I prefer. Thus have tentatively moved that out to after Labor Day. After 6 fine days above Florence L reservoir 4 weeks ago in the snow free canyon, will next week be up in Desolation and then have some open dates to fill before my big Rolling Stones concert date August 18. Immediately after that have been expecting to go over Shepherd Pass for 10 days, however will need to see how my less than fully healed right foot (plantar fasciitis last fall) feels after Desolation. Just might get in 3 September trips as have a tentative date above Saddlebag with a never ever backpacking senior gal from the east, and maybe another round over Bishop Pass when turfy dwarf bilberry and arctic willow peak with fall leaf color.