by Phil » Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:36 pm
The snow level is a little higher than the elevations you're going to be at, but we did have that storm that passed through a couple days ago. Ask the rangers when you go to pick up your wilderness permit down in the Valley what the conditions are. The only thing I can think of is that the gorge on the trail up to Merced Lake is narrow and fairly deep/shaded as well as a good portion being in the trees, so you might get a little more coverage hanging on through there. The other thing I know is going to definitely be the case is Echo Valley is going to be swampy and have a lot of standing water, so plan to get wet and muddy through there. Camping up at Merced Lake is limited by regulation to the designated backcountry campground within a mile of the High Sierra Camp. It'll work for you if need be, but if the trail looks good and you want to push a few miles further up for something nicer, you can try Washburn Lake. If you want to camp below Merced, I would strongly recommend finding a use trail near the bridges to the left below Bunnell Cascade for the nicest sites...much nicer than Merced, any day. Bring bug spray. Also, since you're coming down the JMT anyhow, instead of camping at LYV, look for sites along Sunrise Creek anywhere from the trail junction where you come up from Echo Valley (you may find some snow up in that area, too) down to the rocks just below the junction with the Cloud's Rest trail. Lot's of crafty bears in that area, so keep that in mind.