North Rim Water?

[mhinch]

In two weeks I'm going from Olmstead PoInt to Rockslides via the North Rim Trail (3 days). I'll certainly want to check with the rangers when I pick up my permit, but I'm wondering if anyone has any insights about water availability up there given recent hot/dry conditions. I'm crossing Snow Creek, Royal Arch Creek, Lehamite Creek, Yosemite Creek (not worried about this one -- the webcam shows water in the falls), Eagle Creek, Ribbon Creek and Cascade Creek. Anyone been up there that can report recent conditions and/or seen the resultant waterfalls? I'd like to know if I need to bring more bottles/bladders to carry more water (or even start getting used to the idea of cancelling due to no water -- a first for me).

[runningbear87]

When I hiked the North Rim two years ago it had been a good winter (200% of normal snow pack) and Ribbon Creek/Falls was getting slim by late July. I haven't been up there this year but with the warm winter I would bet Snow Creek will be pretty sparse but still flowing, Eagle Creek and Ribbon Creek will probably be dry or a trickle. Just a guess from past experience but check with the wilderness office because the hike is worth it and makes a pretty leisurely 3-day trip. Make sure you do the extra 1/2 mile out to Eagle Point! If you have to cancel I'd go higher up to Tuolumne where the water is probably flowing a little better.

[mhinch]

Just to close this out, and in case somebody else can use the info, I just
finished my North Rim 3 day hike. Great time! No real water problems.
I'm told this year's snowpack was ~50% of normal, but water was available
all along the trail -- not necessarily everywhere, but at least every few hours.
Lehamite had lots of water, Yosemite creek was slow, but flowing, I could
not find Fireplace at the top (found it on Rockslides and it was flowing enough
to fill a bottle), and Cascade had lots of water. Most of the little side creeks
were dry. All in all, it worked out OK even at the end of July.