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Current trail conditions to Clouds Rest from Happy Isles?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:02 am
by Leo
Has anyone recently hiked this route or heard of any reports of the trail conditions? For example, where does the snow level start and what is the condition of the snow/ice? And are there readily available water sources past Little Yosemite Valley? We're preparing to hike it this Friday and are deciding what gear to bring especially in terms of microspikes, crampons, and snowshoes. Thanks.

Re: Current trail conditions to Clouds Rest from Happy Isles

PostPosted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 4:40 pm
by AlmostThere
Bring mictospikes. expect there to be plenty of ice and plenty of snow . Also expect to be finding the usual route gated . Going up to Vernal Falls on the Mist trail is closed . I would take plenty of water for the hike and stay well back from the rivers and streams because they will be running high and dangerous .

Re: Current trail conditions to Clouds Rest from Happy Isles

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:45 pm
by summitbaggers
Will microspikes be enough or would crampons be necessary on some portions of the climb?

Re: Current trail conditions to Clouds Rest from Happy Isles

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:09 pm
by AlmostThere
That's a good question... I don't think there are any dangerous slopes on the winter route that microspikes will not handle.

I think I would take snowshoes too for the just-to-be-safe factor. The powder gets deeper the higher you go. Probably won't need them (if you do) until climbing out of LYV.

Someone told me they used an ice axe on this route recently... I don't believe them, that doesn't sound right unless they got off the route in some wild way.

Re: Current trail conditions to Clouds Rest from Happy Isles

PostPosted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:43 am
by Leo
Thanks all for your recommendations. We completed our hike on Friday with clear skies and forecasted 2 mph wind. Microspikes were helpful through the winter route from Happy Isles and from LYV to the HD/JMT trail juntion. Although Microspikes worked well in LYV, snowshoes were more efficient here. Snowshoes were used from the HD/JMT trail junction to Clouds Rest.