I have a 4 day pack from Hetch Hetchy planned beginning June 17. I had hoped to get to Vernon the first night, then head up the Morraine Ridge trail and either cross country to Bearup Lake or continue on trail to Jack Main Canyon for the second, spend a day layover for the 3rd, then out on the 4th.
For obvious reasons, I'm concerned about how much snow I might hit--though there is still more than a week of melt before I start. The highest elevation on the way to Vernon is about 6900. Morraine Ridge gets as high as 8100 before you start down to either Bearup or to Jack Main.
1. Has anyone been in this vicinity recently? How is the melt progressing? The latest snow gauge data I can get still shows 4-5 feet of snow at 8100 feet (Lower Relief Valley gauge) but that the snow is completely gone at 6700 feet (Kibbie Ridge gauge.) That sound about right?
2. Assuming there is still a fair bit of snow at 8000 feet, how easy would it be to get over Morraine Ridge with some crampons to get to Bearup or Jack Main?
3. If you have been to Jack Main Canyon, is it impressive, scenic, a suitable destination?
4. Anyone have experience reaching Bearup from the Morraine Ridge trail? Advice?
Many thanks!