Happy Isles to Clouds Rest

[Leo]

We planned a hike to Half Dome on June 1, 2010, but the cables will not be up. Alternatively, we'd like to hike to Clouds Rest from Happy Isles. Any suggestions about the feasibility and safety of this hike given the current trail conditions? Does anyone have experience whether the trail is obvious enough even in snow/ice cover? Can it be done safely with crampons and/or snow shoes if needed? We are a group of endurance hikers with experience hiking in a variety of conditions including rain, snow, and ice. Thanks.

[sierranomad]

OK. I can see this query getting varying responses. But here's mine:

Portions of the approach from the north is narrow trail along the ridge with STEEP dropoffs on both sides. I would consider it too dangerous to attempt if snow/ice were covering the trail.

[bill-e-g]

Leo,
It looked to me that the snow level was approx 8K on the approach
to Clouds. I only guesstimate that looking at pix I took from
Sentinel Dome and GP on Friday and Saturday. So I would
expect to have to hike a good 2K up in snow. Can it be done?
Sure. I can guarantee you plenty of people already tried.
So more than likely that trail you won't have toooo much problem
finding. Getting over Clouds, if that is your goal... may be another
issue. It may be entirely blanketed. Since it sticks up you
get a knife edge precipice but it's also south facing... so the
snow may have exposed ledges you can walk on on the south.
After you get over I guarantee you will be in 100% snow coverage.

This is what it looked like last year on May 8th. (I'd expect more this yr)

[sierranomad]

Did you walk on that Bill?

[bill-e-g]

Jon,
Um... yes, and no. The snow melts and you don't need any special
equipment as the day goes on... Early in the morning it's hard
and icey... I brought little spikeys which worked great in the morning..
Anyway... yes, I traversed it using the ledges on the SE.
Maybe you can see them a little better in this picture below.
My concern would be there being way more snow than this and
no ledges at all exposed...
Since we have a storm coming in... which looks like it's gonna drop
even more snow...

[AlmostThere]

Clouds from HI is great practice for Whitney. Long, lots of elevation gain and loss.

Tho with prolly less snow than Whitney right now....

[sierranomad]

Wow Bill. You da man.

I know I've said it before, but you have gotten some really nice images.