Eastside Conditions Thread

**pajamas** · 04-18-2017, 06:25 PM

June will still be prime time to ski and climb on the same day on the eastside. Roads will be open to South/North Lake, Onion Valley and at least to the park entrance at tioga pass.

basecamps where you can tour from camp are a bit difficult, exp. maybe pullout spots on 120 or end of onion valley road. I'm not sure about legit car camping at the end of south lake or north lake until the officially open campgrounds.

basecamps off 395 in the forest Mammoth north are very plentiful and several good spots in the desert south of Mammoth.

you could spend many days just day touring off tioga and climbing at some of the crags on 120.

**LightRanger** · 04-19-2017, 11:15 AM

If Saddlebag Lake Road is open by then, Conness and North Peak (plus False White, Excelsior, etc.) are great June objectives.

**Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer** · 04-19-2017, 04:47 PM

Wow I just checked in here for the first time in a long time. Awesome!!!

**AKbruin** · 04-19-2017, 05:35 PM

Nice job, drop'n'in. Never been to Onion Valley, but it's on my list.

Boissal: I agree with what Pajamas and whatsupdoc said. This year, you'd probably be well off if you camped in Lee Vining and hit a lot of stuff around Tioga.

Speaking of Tioga, here's a photo from Mono County's facebook account of the efforts to clear 120. Yikes!

Name: 18010083_1790831277595500_662103159470679569_n.jpg
Views: 948
Size: 99.8 KB

**LightRanger** · 04-19-2017, 05:39 PM

And how many boulders and other crap are hidden in the banks that would totally jack up a rotary blower?

Tough job those guys have.

**bobz** · 04-19-2017, 06:16 PM

We did some hard earned powder turns in TJ Bowl on Mammoth Crest. Good fun, not horribly unstable, but not great stability either; about a foot and a half of fresh, which seemed kind of windblown-sugary under the surface. There were at least 3 fresh slides, the biggest coming out of the throat of TJ chute.

Click image for larger version.

Name: IMG_7939.jpg
Views: 99
Size: 918.3 KB
ID: 204723

Click image for larger version.

Name: IMG_7944.jpg
Views: 109
Size: 817.4 KB
ID: 204725

**powdork** · 04-20-2017, 12:41 PM

a few weeks ago i skied crown point, largely because i couldn't find any info about anyone skiing it. now you can

**bodywhomper** · 04-20-2017, 12:56 PM

you all are pretty optimistic about road openings for this late spring (i.e. June).

**Jack Burton** · 04-20-2017, 04:22 PM

This thread is a great way to spend a little time dreaming after lunch.

Headed to Big Pine Friday afternoon with plans of Tinemaha for Saturday and what ever else looks good near there on Sunday.

See you out there

AK & BG thanks for the Mendenhall Vid, I need to ratchet up my Mendenhall quest

**CP1** · 04-20-2017, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by drop'n'in

We went to Onion Valley last Friday to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Road was plowed a little further than it was 2 weeks ago, but still closed to vehicles just after the switchback that is right next to the creek. The snow bridges there have all melted out, but the creek crossing isn't too bad.

There's like 4 switchbacks next to the creek, do you know what elevation you started at? Headed that way Sunday with some plans for a little tour. We're hoping to ski University on our way out, if plans go accordingly.

**BGnight** · 04-20-2017, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jack Burton

Headed to Big Pine Friday afternoon with plans of Tinemaha for Saturdayt

expect a lot of wet slide debris (pretty much goes for anywhere). But the mountain is so big there's plenty of smooth to ski. I have a pic from Wednesday I'll try to develop.

**BGnight** · 04-21-2017, 12:53 AM

Click image for larger version.

Name: IMG_5616-2.jpg
Views: 97
Size: 1.20 MB
ID: 204816

**powdork** · 04-21-2017, 02:12 AM

Originally Posted by BGnight

expect a lot of wet slide debris (pretty much goes for anywhere). But the mountain is so big there's plenty of smooth to ski. I have a pic from Wednesday I'll try to develop.

are you shooting film?

**BGnight** · 04-21-2017, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by powdork

are you shooting film?

My camera requires that I put my head under a hood and light some gunpowder off in my hand.

**drop'n'in** · 04-21-2017, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by CP1

There's like 4 switchbacks next to the creek, do you know what elevation you started at? Headed that way Sunday with some plans for a little tour. We're hoping to ski University on our way out, if plans go accordingly.

Ya, that was a lame description, I know. It was right at 8K. But I wouldn't be surprised if you could get quite a bit further by this weekend. The road was plowed close to another mile further, but they had it blocked off.

**Jack Burton** · 04-21-2017, 10:45 AM

BG thanks for posting that picture - dreamy

**kidwoo** · 04-21-2017, 10:55 AM

Anybody know what coverage is like up yonder Glacier Lodge?

**whitekingsalmon** · 04-21-2017, 12:42 PM

Mid April in a huge year.... you figure it out kook.

**kidwoo** · 04-21-2017, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by whitekingsalmon

Mid April in a huge year.... you figure it out kook.

Haha

Fuck off tool. I'm talking about the road, not the lodge proper.

**JAREDS** · 04-21-2017, 05:35 PM

haven't been out in forever - heading up last-minute, and can't get mon off - so i only have sat/sun.
not familiar with shorter tours (other than carson pass, castle peak etc) and don't have time for a longer trip or further south - any suggestions on a short/sweet possibly one-nighter? was thinking kettle peak at twin lakes, it would be a tight fit imo but could prob squeeze it in; wondering if there's something else.

- never looked at pyramid peak approach/area (seems like that south-facing approach is always melted out) but always wanted to.
- haven't actually been in the virginia lakes area (plenty in saddlebag lake and bridgeport just not in btwn).

any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

**AKbruin** · 04-21-2017, 06:16 PM

Cool vid, Powdork.

BGnight has a camera again!

Both major canyons out of Twin Lakes are good for manageable overnighters.

VA Lakes is nice, but it's more of a daytrip place. Maybe go deeper and camp near Excelsior?

Ritter would be sweet if you wanna work a bit.

I've only done Pyramid once from Twin Bridges. The first 500-700 vertical feet was a PITA both up and down but manageable with a smaller pack. It would have sucked with a big pack though. Not sure exactly how folks get to Aloha to camp, but it's pretty sweet back there.

**meter-man** · 04-21-2017, 07:36 PM

Mammoth Lakes Basin (behind Mammoth) is stacked with 1-2k options and is great in spring. But the "busiest", relatively speaking. Tioga is closer and has awesome spring options (yes before the road opens) - Kidney for corn. V Bowl and Coke for access. Wood may even be in still for 1-day options. And Red Slate is a classic 2 day option (unless you're Pondella or something). Last suggestion would be Granite Basin but then you'd have to drive to Pine Creek.

**406** · 04-21-2017, 07:49 PM

Lots of wet slides on all aspects today near convict lake.

**somethingclever...** · 04-21-2017, 10:23 PM

North fork you have to walk to the bench with the little waterfall (2+ miles?). Easy walking so not too bad. Did it with a big pack, in ski boots and it wasnt too tedious. South fork looked like you could skin pretty darn quickly and all of the lines on Kidd etc looked fat and fun.

Originally Posted by kidwoo

Anybody know what coverage is like up yonder Glacier Lodge?