High Sierra Topix

My trip is planned the last week in June going in Lamarck then crossing over South-North Snow Tongue Pass. I’m guessing still snow on the North side end of June? Will going this way be easier than going up it this time of year?

Hard to say how the snowpack is going to melt by end of June. IF there is lingering snow both Lemark and Snow Tongue could have snow that could be hard early in the morning and maybe soft enough to kick steps after an hour or so of sun. Snow Tongue is very steep- but short, still a fall may be serious if any rocks below on the runout. If you are not experienced on steep snow, you may want to reroute. It is not your equipment but your experience that makes the difference. Lemark is less steep and usually many people have gone over and a well-used set of steps help. Microspikes help on Lemark because you are basically stepping onto flat existing steps. Snow Tongue is less used and steep enough that microspikes are not that useful unless the snow is soft enough to kick a good step. Still not a place for a beginner in snow travel. If you cannot gather enough information before you go, be prepared to turn back if the north side is not safe. The north side of Snow Tongue is also unstable just after the melt when it is still saturated. The other option is Alpine Col, which is also difficult with large talus blocks, but not as steep. Talus covered by melting unstable snow could be a problem on Alpine Col. Basically, other than low-snowpack years, late June is a bit early.


You should have a "Plan B" that stays south and goes back over Lemark. There are great loops to do through McGee Lakes, or Davis Lake, or simply explore the upper benches above Evolution Lake. Also you can easily spend a few days in beautiful Darwin Basin. You could also take the trail route down to Goddard and up Piute Creek- but that is a long trudge on trails. Personally, I would stay in the Evolution Lakes -Darwin Bench area. Plus the bridge on the PCT being out, doing the trail loop back to North Lake may require a difficult crossing (but plenty of PCT hikers will have gone across so there may be a visible path to the best crossing). There are so many good options that your Lemark permit still will give you a great trip.

And do not fret if your permit says Piute Pass is your exit. No ranger is going to ding you for retreating via Lemark for reasons of safety.

Wow! What a great trip. Thanks for all the photos and the report. It seems like you got all over the place.

Thank you WD for the response! Great info.

wow, I want to do backpacking on this route, one day!