High Sierra Topix

Did the Vernon Lake Loop over Memorial Day Weekend. I received an email earlier in the week that Wapama Falls was closed and that we should have alternate plans. Heading up to Hetch Hetchy on Saturday, 5/27, we planned on an out and back to Vernon. But when we arrived the rangers indicated that Wapama was open (at your own risk) and said the outlet of Vernon was flooded but doable. We decided to head up to Vernon and make our plan based on the Vernon outlet. In the end, we decided we were confident in doing a loop.

Snow free on Beehive Meadows trail to Vernon Lake. Meadows were about ankle deep in places. Outlet at Vernon requires significant wading. We did it in the thigh deep portion further from the edge where the water was deeper and calmer. Snow on the trail above Vernon at about 7000 feet. At the most 4 - 5 feet deep in places. The snow was still pretty firm. We lost the trail a few times before the ridge but have done the route before and found it again easily.

Tiltill Valley was flooded to ankles. Honestly, it seemed less flooded than the same time last year. Wapama Falls was flowing over the last bridge and I can understand why they would close it if the flow was higher.

Mosquitoes are 1 -2 in any of the meadows and in the oak lowland woods (coming into Tiltill and also out of Rancheria).

I wish you had also gone to Laurel Lake. I'm curious about it, this time of this year.

Did you get a chance to see the falls/cascade at the northern eastern end of the basin? Branigan Creek should be booming this year.

Cross Country, I also wish we had a chance to go to Laurel Lake. I completely forgot to ask the Ranger about the Laurel conditions when we got our permit. I was so surprised that the Vernon outlet might be open that I forgot to ask about Frog Creek.

Maverick, you could see the falls from the northern end of the lake and from the hike out of Vernon. It was pretty amazing! I wish I had better pictures--especially this year versus last.

Also of note-- there were five bears I saw along the route (including a mother and cub). I've never seen so many bears grubbing in one short weekend trip!