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South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 9:11 am
by stringbop
Has anybody been thru the South Shore of Lake Italy, and if so, were traction devices needed? I plan on taking this route from Italy Pass to the JMT.
CalTopo is still showing 3 snow patches but not sure if it can be walked over without traction devices. Thanks

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 10:02 am
by Laserjet3051
Dont know, but Ill be there late next week, hoping for the best. This lady came over Italy Pass a few weeks ago, and while she didnt drop down to Italy Lake, she did take a lot of pictures from the pass. I cant tell which one might be Italy Lake, maybe you can?

https://backcountrypost.com/threads/bea ... erra.8781/

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 10:58 am
by Bishop_Bob
I cannot comment on the current status, but you're query reminded me that I crossed a snow field on the South shore of Lake Italy back in '90-something. No traction devices. Probably the dumbest thing I've done in the backcountry. A slip would've dropped me (all loaded down) quite swiftly into the lake.

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:48 am
by ExploreABitMore
I did a similar traverse of the S Shore last year and was there early morning. Two calving snow banks. Although not leaning steeply into the water, the snow was hard/icy in the morning. I was glad I had ice axe and crampons. Later in the day, much easier, I just used my trekking poles when the snow softened up

I had a look over there a couple weeks ago from Cox Col this year. Looked like the same snow banks were still there. You could probably check Cal Topo to confirm.

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=37.3556 ... 0.33&a=mba

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 3:00 pm
by MRrogers
stringbop, we were there in late July this year. The middle of the 3 snow fields was not passable for us. It is steep and would have been difficult even with crampons. We were able to hike up around it. There were cairns(ducks) to mark this higher route above the snow field. This is a current copy and paste with snow fields from caltopo.
IMG_3828.jpg

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 5:24 pm
by stringbop
@mrogers Thank you for your diagram. Good to know I can bypass it. Did you need traction devices for the 3rd snow field?

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:56 pm
by MRrogers
Stringbob, no traction devices needed for the 3rd snow field. It is flat terrain there. Please read my trip report for some more info. Florence lake edison lake loop 7/27 - 8/2.

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 3:44 pm
by Lumbergh21
I haven't been there yet this year, but can relate to Bishop Bob's post above. I had the same choice in 2017 and chose to turn around rather than risk it. I was solo, had no traction devices, and it was early morning. I figured a slide into the lake would likely mean death. I came back last year and hiked over Italy Pass into Granite Park. It was still there, so my choice not to risk the ice in 2017 was a good choice.

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:01 pm
by stringbop
@Lumbergh21 I actually read your trip report - Way Too Long Hotsprings Hike Report, 8/15 - 8/29- and that picture you posted of the snow running right into the lake is what got me worried. haha When I saw that I was thinking, no way in hell I'm going over that without traction devices!

Re: South Shore of Lake Italy

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 7:37 am
by RunningSpringRob
I was just there last week and yes there were two snow fields that came down to the lake's south shore. The first I was able to wade around with no issues. How ever the second I was forced to cross, adn it was on a 30-35 degree angle. Wate for the snow to get soft and you should be fine.