by kcoop » Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:06 am
I did almost this exact same trip last year in late July and because of a late season snowfall and melt, the mosquitoes up high were epic. The worst I've experienced any where. This year, (depart on July 17) I'm doing virtually the same trip, but hoping they won't be as bad since there will still be a lot of snow on the high passes. As far as trail condition info, keep checking all the blogs/trip reports. I spoke to a ranger yesterday (7/7) at the wilderness center (the 'Questions/Cancellations' # on your Permit Reservation Confirmation letter) and was told the trail is clear of snow for the first 4+ miles, which should be about 9,200 ft or so. He went onto say that a few people were getting through (over either Tuolumne or Vogelsang Passes) that there's still a lot of snow up there and there will still probably be quite a bit a week from now. That said, you might want to be bringing micro spikes and trekking poles to be safe. It sounds like we're departing the same day you are so maybe we'll see you up there. Good luck, and like another responder wrote, just in case, be prepared for the mosquitoes. VERY prepared.