Re: 2017 River/Stream Crossing Reports
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 7:29 pm
I just got back from Pine Creek. There are three crossings 1) the "footbridge" which is now under water a foot and looks to be damaged, 2) the stock crossing and 3) the lake outlet.
I crossed at the stock crossing. My impression is that it looked easier then it was. It is probably 15 or 20 feet across. (Others I met on the trail said it looked horrible). It was very swift and mid-thigh on me (I am 5'4") IF I walked on the downstream submerged rocks. Upstream in the main channel it is much deeper. I stepped into a hole on the return and for a minute went in crotch deep but luckily recovered. The danger solo is that if one were to fall, you are on the downstream side and would immediately enter the rapids. I think the crossing is safe for groups so you have a spotter. I checked the crossing about 5PM (camped to save the crossing for morning) and it did go down, but only a few inches, not feet. My heavier pack going in actually helped me stabilize. I felt more inclined to be knocked off going out with a lighter pack. I would not attempt this crossing without trekking poles. Use the same method as you would for climbing rock- always have three good points of support, move one, and stabilize before slowly moving one again. I used Crocks. They grip well on wet rock. You may feel more comfortable wearing your hiking shoes and just putting up with wet shoes for a while.
Which brings the lake outlet option. I met a father and son who crossed at the lake because they did not have trekking poles. They were both about 6-ft tall. They said it was mid-thigh to crotch deep wading, with one short section of pretty strong current.
I also met a couple who had used the "footbridge". They did not say much about it. My concern with it is that when logs or debris of any kind are in a stream of that strength, weird things happen with the currents. It just did not look good to me.
I think normal size guys who are experienced at stream crossings, and particularly in a group, should have no problems.
All the other crossings were easier. I crossed the creek from Granite Park several times easily, knee deep.
The amount of snow that still needs to melt and the fact that this snow is now "Sierra Cement" I think bodes for similar stream conditions for quite a while, at least until fall temperatures end the snowmelt. It is still lightly freezing above 11,600 feet every night. It actually could get worse if nights become warm at these higher altitudes.
I crossed at the stock crossing. My impression is that it looked easier then it was. It is probably 15 or 20 feet across. (Others I met on the trail said it looked horrible). It was very swift and mid-thigh on me (I am 5'4") IF I walked on the downstream submerged rocks. Upstream in the main channel it is much deeper. I stepped into a hole on the return and for a minute went in crotch deep but luckily recovered. The danger solo is that if one were to fall, you are on the downstream side and would immediately enter the rapids. I think the crossing is safe for groups so you have a spotter. I checked the crossing about 5PM (camped to save the crossing for morning) and it did go down, but only a few inches, not feet. My heavier pack going in actually helped me stabilize. I felt more inclined to be knocked off going out with a lighter pack. I would not attempt this crossing without trekking poles. Use the same method as you would for climbing rock- always have three good points of support, move one, and stabilize before slowly moving one again. I used Crocks. They grip well on wet rock. You may feel more comfortable wearing your hiking shoes and just putting up with wet shoes for a while.
Which brings the lake outlet option. I met a father and son who crossed at the lake because they did not have trekking poles. They were both about 6-ft tall. They said it was mid-thigh to crotch deep wading, with one short section of pretty strong current.
I also met a couple who had used the "footbridge". They did not say much about it. My concern with it is that when logs or debris of any kind are in a stream of that strength, weird things happen with the currents. It just did not look good to me.
I think normal size guys who are experienced at stream crossings, and particularly in a group, should have no problems.
All the other crossings were easier. I crossed the creek from Granite Park several times easily, knee deep.
The amount of snow that still needs to melt and the fact that this snow is now "Sierra Cement" I think bodes for similar stream conditions for quite a while, at least until fall temperatures end the snowmelt. It is still lightly freezing above 11,600 feet every night. It actually could get worse if nights become warm at these higher altitudes.
