Tuolomne Meadows Trailhead Conditions?

[bill-e-g]

110% concur. Snowshoes are a big waste... soooo glad the ranger
said sun cups when picked up permit on Sat.

Went up Budd Creek ... up a couple of Echo Peaks over Matthes...
down to Matthes Lake... over saddle to Echo Creek...
then up Echo Creek ... down to Elizabeth and out.

MAJOR SUN CUPS (ranger wasn't kidding) now. They really slow you down.

[tblock1]

I mention the crossing above Barney (Robinson Creek)....
There are two about the same before Robinson and the outlet
of Peeler split.
If it's so bad (def. gonna be worse than this) then you can
probably avoid both by going into the rocks and staying
north of the creek (never had to do it... so dunno how much
pain it is). The good thing is that the trail across both is pretty
level so you shouldn't all of the sudden drop down into a hole.
Here's the first one:


Just go with an open mind... and the plan that you don't HAVE to be
anywhere besides in your sleeping bag nice and warm at night.

If I were doing the trip I'd bring crampons for this year and
go into Slide Canyon first. Only getting below the Sawtooths is
spectacular and a worthy goal for right now this year.
(although personally I'd prefer to hear how it went thru Peeler since
I wanna get into Thompson very soon)
(Prob convince the wife to go over 4th of July.. "it won't be THAT
bad honey" "maybe we won't have mosquitos for once" )

Maybe Bridgeport RS will have more info for you (some of the issuing
stations really don't know squat though)...
ANYWAY... HAVE FUN!

Thanks we just got back. I made another thread. The Bridgeport ranger station didnt know much about conditions, in fact we stopped by on the way back and they were impressed we made it up there and were asking about conditions, when we showed them the photos of Peeler lake completely frozen over they just about shit their pants! By the way, I have a video of that exact same stream crossing, MUCH worse!

[mts4602]

Anybody got anything new? I'll be heading there July 5th to do TM to the Valley.

Oh and apparently the campground isn't open yet. I sure hope it is in about 10 days..

MTS

[Moo]

I canceled my Rafferty permit after checking in at the Wilderness office on Monday. Suncups for miles and snow covered lakes made it a no go for me. A lot of hikers were bailing on Tuolumne permits. I was lucky and picked up a cancelation for Happy Isles. First time up to Clouds Rest and the view is a 360 degree wonder. The high country is snow, snow, snow everywhere. The temps were smoking when I left mid week. Good luck to everyone heading out in July!

[sierranomad]

Wow! Much more snow than last year.

I'm heading to yos this Tuesday and wanting to do a 20 miler or so...trying to decide which trail to take. I prefer to stay out of the smoke-filled valley in summer.

Last year did the JMT starting 7/1. Based on these reports I think it would be a completely different animal this year.

[bill-e-g]

This was June 19-20. Some of the pix were for some people
who wanted to know about Cathedral Lakes area.

http://picasaweb.google.com/yosemite.chick.on/Matthes

Have fun

[sierranomad]

Wow. What a difference a year makes.

I take it you don't like trails, Bill? You're awesome. When I grow up I want to be like you.