2017 Current snow conditions for E. Sierra

[kpeter]

Franklin Pass August 2. Nothing on the west. At the top, there was a 15' steep snowbank to cross to start down the eastern side, and then a few hundred yards of flat, sun cupped snow that was trivial below. Some people went straight over the upper snowbank and were beginning to wear a stepped trail through it. I and others hike along the flat top of the bank north a ways to find a less steep diagonal traverse down.

Kaweah Gap August 5. First, the much vaunted "ice tunnel" or "ice flow" just after the blasted rock tunnel on the HST was completely melted out. However, there were half a dozen snowbanks in patches from Precipice Lake (still 95% frozen--don't imagine you are going to camp there--there was one lonely tent pad out from under the snow) through the gap and then three patches on the eastern side. All have well worn trails in them now. People were getting over without traction, but I definitely was happy to have my poles and microspikes.

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The most nerve racking for me was a snowbank east of Precipice. The bank was about 10-15 feet high and covered the gap except for a snow melt lake that had accumulated below. The only way through was to go on top of the snow. It had pulled away from the cliff and parts of it had split off into the lake, at one point giving less than six feet of width to trudge with unpleasant falls on either side.

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[Wandering Daisy]

Forrester Pass: 8/12 - some snow patches. The "steepness" reported by the FS is over-rated. The slopes are about 30-35 degrees with huge sun cups; if you fell you would end up in a sun cup. The "path" on the upper section of the north side does not follow the trail- it instead climbs vertically up a big snow stringer (very easy) and then traverses to the pass.

Crabtree Pass- I just looked at it- did not go up. A few avoidable snow stringers.

Pass south of Lake South America - snow band at top, but it is low angle and short

Trail Crest (Whitney)- all snow free

[Wandering Daisy]

Also, the north side of Rockwell Pass looked like it had a cornice all the way across. I only saw it from a distance (had no binoculars). I detoured it via Bighorn Plateau. The south side was completely dry.

[SweetSierra]

Has anyone heard about snow conditions on Knapsack, Potluck and Cirque Passes? I'm going over these passes (and on to Mather Pass) beginning August 27. Thanks in advance.

[Mmalone32]

Hello:

Are you still planning on going over Potluck and Cirque in late August? Have you heard anymore about conditions?

Thanks

[Wandering Daisy]

PCT from Sonora Pass to saddle between Kennedy Creek and Kennedy Canyon have three significant snowfields. However there are well-worn paths. The snow is hard in the morning, and by 10AM soft enough that you do not need traction devices. But if you did fall, you would likely get hurt as there are no good run-outs.

The mining road switchbacks down from Big Sam to the saddle have SIGNIFICANT steep snow coverage. It was enough that I altered my plans.

Latopie Lake is still mostly frozen.

Although I did not see the switchbacks, given that the Big Sam switchbacks are snow covered, it is likely that the switchbacks down to Levitt Lake also have some snow coverage.

Huge snowbank on south side of Lost Lake precludes getting to the east side.

Bond Pass, Dorothy Lake Pass, and Brown Bear Pass are all snow-free.

Bottom line- if you want to go everywhere anytime , bring micro-spikes or crampons.

[tomba]

Not East Sierra, but this thread seems to be the place to report all snow conditions in High Sierra this year.

Sphinx Col: A minor snow field, easy to cross.
Cinder Col: A steeper snow, almost a cornice, blocks the actual saddle. Easy to cross between the two small lakes on the pass instead, crossing a gentle snow field beyond them.
South Guard Lake: An annoying snow field on SE side, OK to cross (had only trekking poles and minimalist shoes, crossed late afternoon). Better not to try to go around W side - steep snow overhanging the lake.
Longley Pass: An impressive cornice, but easy to bypass at south end. Then, walk below the cornice towards the north end before descending east.

Link to the map of this area.

Longley Pass cornice:

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Longley Pass cornice bypass:

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[cgundersen]

Tomba,
Wow! That's the best snowpack I've seen on Longley. Well, other folks on this site may have encountered taller, more-ominous versions, but that top shot really looks daunting. Yes, the lower shot puts it in perspective, but I could imagine being a little nervous on the approach. Very cool!
Thanks,
Cameron

[texan]

That is a impressive cornice especially for the last week in August. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Texan

[Harlen]

Hey Tomba,

Thanks for the great photos! It looks like you had a really nice alpine flower garden up there too. I have been turned around by the cornice at Longley; I guess it catches a lot snow from the west. Great post.