High Sierra Topix

Hi!

Our initially planned trip for entrance on July 13th is impassible. We've been having trouble finding a route based on the recent trip reports out there. So, we are looking for any recommendations for a 2 night/3 day (<45 mile) trip from someone that has recently done a trip. Plan is to do a walk-up permit so location is flexible. Safe water crossings are a primary concern.

We are adults in good shape and have a bunch of general backpacking experience and some x-country, but no winter experience or gear (crampons, ice picks, etc). Thanks for your help!

What was your first plan?
Are you up for some navigating in safe non-avalanche, non-crampon-worthy snow? How do you feel about wet feet?

@AlmostThere: Yes, we are okay with both (wet feet and snow crossing)! We were planning on doing the Rae Lakes loop in SEKI (which we have done before). Planned the trip a long time ago.

Thanks for the reply!

What was your first plan?
Are you up for some navigating in safe non-avalanche, non-crampon-worthy snow? How do you feel about wet feet?

You could just go do the out and back -- go in and come back out the same way. Or go to East and Reflection instead. If Bubbs Creek has subsided sufficiently...

Going out the HIgh Sierra Trail has become a popular alternate.

Hi KK9890,

Welcome to HST!

SEKI NP:

7/7 - Charlotte creek crossing should be crossed at Bubbs only in the morning, water is running very high/swift in the afternoon. The water crossings in between Junction Meadow and East Lake are currently impassable.

Might want to reconsider trying to get to East Lake.

I have the feeling it's just going to be one of those years. That snow is taking a while to get itself gone. There's overnight outings, but anything of length will run up against one of these waterways...

We're having difficulty getting out to do trail work because of lingering snow - can't cut trees in snowbanks.

@AlmostThere, I saw your post in the Water Crossings in Mineral King thread about Jennie Lake Wilderness (http://highsierratopix.com/community/v ... 34&t=16161). I wanted to clarify if you were suggesting an out-and-back along the Sugarloaf Trail to Roaring River RS.

Considering this year's conditions, we're kind of willing to piece any sort of overnight together.

You could probably do that area, Jennie and Roaring River, though it will be on the warm side -- there will be a couple of crossings but in areas where you can find a wide, shallow spot instead of trying to cross in a deep hole in a steep drainage.

Another place you might go would be south from Florence Lake, out and back to Evolution Valley. Evolution Basin is apparently still in suncups, above 10k, but the valley is reachable, the hikers cross farther up in the meadow from the trail crossing for a waist deep (in the morning!!! Gets faster and deeper in the afternoon) wade of the creek. The only people we saw out there were thru hikers. I am going back out this weekend to cut trees in the trail outside the park boundary. There are bridges over major crossings like Piute Creek.

Have you checked the Yosemite Park web page of current trail conditions? It was updated on June 30.
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildcond.htm

It says that the trail to Ostrander Lake is snow-free and you can get pretty far up the Chinualna Creek drainage above Wawona. You might be able to piece a trip together in that area, especially since there undoubtedly has been more snow melt in the last 10 days.

-Phil