Sonora Pass

**~mikey b** · 05-16-2012, 06:55 AM

powdork - I might be there Thu

**powdork** · 05-16-2012, 08:58 AM

Looks like we'll be camping at Kennedy meadows (Baker Campground) overnight Wednesday and maybe Thursday. Doesn't seem like a super early start is necessary thursday with the weather.

**~mikey b** · 05-16-2012, 09:19 AM

no - I won't get there early - I have to drop Owen off at school first - I should hit the pass around 0930 - where you planning to ski?

**powdork** · 05-16-2012, 11:47 AM

Hopefully y couloir if i can convince her. Guessing there's no cell setrvice at kennedy meadows. i'm in a white outback. leaving around 3 today.

**Ottime** · 05-16-2012, 12:15 PM

^^^I had cell service there a few years back. Spotty, but I was able to make a call. Think I was on Verizon then.

You can boot pack pretty much the entire way to the Y, if that pleases her. If you get the chance, look at the lines between the tree pullout and the switchback. There is a bunch of stuff you can lap, working your way down the ridge, that hardly ever gets hit. Have fun up there. Sounds fun.

**skier666** · 05-16-2012, 12:16 PM

Debating between Sonora or Tioga on my way to Mammoth next Thursday. If I go through Sonora, my gameplan would be to run to the Y and do a lap or two then head back towards the pass. I figure the lower sections will be pretty burnt by then right? Hmmmm.

**dookeyXXX** · 05-16-2012, 12:49 PM

@Ottime: how long of a bootpack? I sold off my AT boots and skis, so all I currently have are my two feet...of course being more familiar with SP would help, too (no idea where the tree pulloff and switchback are as I've only hiked/skied SP once with you and UFCL).

**claymond** · 05-16-2012, 01:10 PM

^^Took us around 3 and a half hours a couple weeks ago to get to the top of Leavitt bootpacking. Thats parking at the top of the pass

**~mikey b** · 05-16-2012, 01:15 PM

plenty of room here if you don't want to camp - longer drive in the AM though

**~mikey b** · 05-21-2012, 03:28 PM

Powdork - sorry I never made it Thursday - too much to do at home before weekend away

Skied SP with Krystal and Owen on the way home from Mammoth skiing, Lake George bear viewing and NV high desert eclipse watching.

Getting thin but still good enough for me to plan a couple days this week...

**Ottime** · 05-21-2012, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by dookey67

@Ottime: how long of a bootpack? I sold off my AT boots and skis, so all I currently have are my two feet...of course being more familiar with SP would help, too (no idea where the tree pulloff and switchback are as I've only hiked/skied SP once with you and UFCL).

I think the 3.5 hour sounds about right.

If you drive west from the pass, you might be able to determine where the tree pullout and the switchback are. I think Vets knows. Pretty sure he has hiked around the tree a bit. You will also see the terrain I speak of. It is kind of set up for some yo-yo action. Might be more bang for the buck than hiking back to the Y. It is pretty far back there. I hiked back from the Y, to the pass once with Snowranger. Never been so hot and dehydrated in my life.

**powdork** · 05-22-2012, 10:10 AM

never did make it up to the y couloir. thought we would would get to the top of ski peak(?) and see it was just a short hike from there. but no, it's a ways
shiny new maggette hutchy and long time mag nacho kickin' it on the top

more to come

**~mikey b** · 05-23-2012, 08:24 AM

headed out to Leavitt from the pass after I drop Owen off at school this morning...

shot of snow coming this weekend

might shut the pass for a couple days

**GiBo** · 05-23-2012, 09:00 AM

It's weird. We camp every MD weekend up there and it seems like 70% of the time it snows. Will be out of town this WE, so we're going another weekend, but it sure seems Ullr sure loves to spend MD weekend at SP.

**~mikey b** · 05-23-2012, 10:36 PM

I was wondering about you...

It snows..

**~mikey b** · 05-23-2012, 10:51 PM

skied Leavitt Peak from SP today - 3.5 hours to top of the bowl

windy as fuck

good stuff up high

dodgy out

easy hitch to the top

**skier666** · 05-24-2012, 11:04 AM

I'll be up at Sonora Pass late this afternoon and early evening to take some pics and do a run or two. I'll probably just stay near the highway due to time constraints. I'll do my best to get some scenic pics of the coverage.

**~mikey b** · 05-25-2012, 10:33 AM

edit

pass is closed at Kennedy Meadows

hoping to get up there Sunday

**~mikey b** · 05-27-2012, 09:14 AM

unofficial report from CalTrans is 2' above 9000' on Sonora Pass (I have my doubts) - they'll likely open the pass around noon - I'm going to go check it out

**skier666** · 05-27-2012, 09:15 AM

On late afternoon Thursday, it was pretty windy at the top of the pass, cold, and not looking too epic so I bailed to take photos of Leavitt Falls.

However, Deadman Chute looked pretty tasty. I'll post some pics when I get time on the computer.

Here's what the bottom of the hairpin looked like:

**~mikey b** · 05-27-2012, 11:09 AM

Pass just reopened. I'm rolling out

**~mikey b** · 05-27-2012, 06:53 PM

Might have been 2' blown in on the road yesterday......

Skied the 2-12" of new out No Name this afternoon. Snow was warming. Might have been a bit better if I'd been at the gate when it opened rather than at home, but I weren't.

My tracks were the only ones out there when I left.

FKNA fun day!

Pics after supper.

BBQ here tomorrow night. Open invite to those folks rolling from mammoth to bay area

**~mikey b** · 05-27-2012, 10:18 PM

encouraging

not

**Vets** · 05-29-2012, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by skier666

On late afternoon Thursday, it was pretty windy at the top of the pass, cold, and not looking too epic so I bailed to take photos of Leavitt Falls.

However, Deadman Chute looked pretty tasty. I'll post some pics when I get time on the computer.

Here's what the bottom of the hairpin looked like:

I've skied the patch on the lower right of your picture a couple a times before. It is a fun quick easy access run.
I'm guessing that on a really good snow year it might go through all the way from the top.