Sierra: Rae Lakes Loop next week

[JAREDS]

Friend wants to do this loop next week - he thinks its gonna be 10% coverage, I was thinking there would be a ton of snow still.

Anyone have any info?
Thanks!

[PowerWhore7]

I got this off of the High Sierra Topix forum, I hope it helps...



http://www.highsierratopix.com/commu...php?f=1&t=7649

"I think it is a bit early to do a major 10-12 day (150 miles) trip without encountering
some major or a least some snow.
Rae Lakes will not be thawed, Glen Pass will not be easy, plus for 10-12 days it is
to short unless one included 60 Lake Basin and Gardiner Basin, or adding the East
Lake, Reflection Lake, and Sphinx Lakes via Longely Pass route, and most of
these places will still be blanketed with snow, lakes will be frozen, and a cornice will
still be present on Longley.
One place would be northwestern Yosemite where there are several lakes you
can visit out of the Hetchy or Kibbie Lake area. There are several TR's posted from
previous trips here on HST, just use the search feature, and see if this area appeals
to you, but you will have to deal with some snow, creeks, and flooded areas.
Southern Yosemite has some areas too, but conditions will be similar to the
northwestern parts.
Your best bet would be to wait till next month for things to open up a bit
more giving you more opportunities, but with that will come with more skeeterz and
more dangerous river/stream crossings.
Sure one could go up the Kern or go up to Cottonwood Lakes and beyond into Miter
Basin, but your looking for 10-12 days (150 miles) worth of travel, unless you can
stay in one certain area for 2-3 days before moving on to another, than these trips
will be too short, and adding on another basin or two to these trips will definitely
involve some snow travel for sure as they gain in elevation.
For example Kathy W posted some shots from the Taboose area, but one cannot
surmise what the conditions are like down towards the JMT, Bench Lake or Upper
Basin. Pinchot Pass and Mather Pass will require a lot of experience with an ice axe
and crampons. Lakes Basin, and Amphitheater Basin will still be blanketed in snow
and lakes frozen, so you would be confined to a rather small area which may be fun
for 4-5 days but that's it."





Oh yeah by the way, search JONG, and this is the wrong forum for this post. Summits=meet ups - not hiking/climbing

[JAREDS]

Oh yeah by the way, search JONG, and this is the wrong forum for this post. Summits=meet ups - not hiking/climbing

i'm such a dick i hate myself. thanks for the info!

[SPARTICUS]

I was at the top of Kearsarge Pass yesterday (11823ft), and only crossed 3 snow patches the longest was only 15 ft long. Bull frog lake is ice free as is the lowest kearsarge lake, above that they are starting to break up. hope that helps.

David

[hutash]

A few seasons ago we encounter no snow until the north side of Glen, and it was completely cover (but had a nice path stomped into it.) Since there is still snow on Kearsarge I would expect Glen to be well covered, not that it can't be crossed, just be prepared.