Anybody know if Crescent Meadow is open in winter? I was reading the NPS site and it says that it is closed when there's snow. Does that mean that they stop plowing the road with 1st snow? Also, if not, what's the best way to get from Wolverton to the High Sierra Trail heading to the Big Arroyo?

kevin trieu wrote:Anybody know if Crescent Meadow is open in winter? I was reading the NPS site and it says that it is closed when there's snow. Does that mean that they stop plowing the road with 1st snow? Also, if not, what's the best way to get from Wolverton to the High Sierra Trail heading to the Big Arroyo?

The Morro Rock road (Crescent Meadow) is not plowed. It is a great ski/snow shoe.

kevin trieu wrote:Also, if not, what's the best way to get from Wolverton to the High Sierra Trail heading to the Big Arroyo?

From Wolverton, take the trail to Panther Gap and Mehrten Meadow. This is often tracked from folks heading to Alta Peak in winter. From Mehrten Meadow, take the trail down to the HST which leads to the Big Arroyo in another 15 miles or so.

1000Pks wrote:What's the deal with the Big Arroyo in winter?

Black Kaweah.

What else should I worry about? I'm new to winter climbing.

Kevin, are you being mean! Hmm, Liberty Ridge looked pretty comfortable for you!

So your advice is that beginners should be secretive about their plans, not ask about road conditions, not venture into national forests/parks in winter and stay only in ski resorts.

1000Pks wrote:

So your advice is that beginners should be secretive about their plans, not ask about road conditions, not venture into national forests/parks in winter and stay only in ski resorts.

If this is meant for me, never said that.

but, but, ....

1000Pks wrote:If you are so truly new to winter mtneering, please do not give everyone a good scare by announcing such trip plans ostensibly on finding out about the road to CM. Beginners should never try anything in winter in a national park/forest in the Sierra, or even any peak that doesn't have a ski lift to the top.

Sure sounds like you said something pretty much to that effect. But yes, he was baiting you since Kevin's been around the block a few times.

Kevin:: Here's a link to the SMS archives:

http://angeles.sierraclub.org/skimt/text/triprpts.htm

Haven't read these in a few years, so don't remember if there is anything for the area you plan to visit.

1000Pks wrote:

kevin trieu wrote:So your advice is that beginners should be secretive about their plans, not ask about road conditions, not venture into national forests/parks in winter and stay only in ski resorts.

If this is meant for me, never said that. Most astute climbers would have taken note of what's open in as local a National Park as Sequoia/Kings Canyon, suggesting poor observation or plain disinterest.

. . .
[MLC SC anecdote]
. . .

Checking your profile, if you are being condescending here, given your SP log, I don't know why you are bothering with this. I'd be on my way, I rarely ask for such advice on the Net. The SKC rangers would be far more reliable and knowledgeable. Or that many times such requests are taken as potential suicides, plain-out ignored.

I wouldn't bother with waiting for any response.

In the original post, he already mentioned he obtained information from the NPS site, but the details there were not thorough.

I don't know why you would discourage someone from trying to obtain information from any reasonable source, including this site -- or especially this site. The Internet (including this site), with its gazillion users, is an amazing information source, and that is its entire purpose (other than porn, of course). And even if some bad information happens to be posted, I'm sure KT is smart enough to sort that out as well.

So you saying that Bob works for the MLC SC?

I was starting to suspect that Bob has secretly been working for them and is on a mission to undermine all future winter climbs in the Sierra.

Hey Bob I'm on you to, buddy!

kevin trieu wrote:So you saying that Bob works for the MLC SC?

I was starting to suspect that Bob has secretly been working for them and is on a mission to undermine all future winter climbs in the Sierra.

Hey Bob I'm on you to, buddy!

What? I was doing just the opposite - I was giving you directions and distances and sending you on your merry way with nary an avalanche or winter hazard warning. If I was working for the MLC SC, I would be telling you about the stress you would be putting on the mountain creatures whose burrows you are thoughtless trampling over, and tell you about the environmental horrors of sanding the roads which is being done to allow you to participate in such unnecessary and selfish leisure activities. Then I would suggest you come join us instead for a teatime stroll in downtown Sacramento or perhaps the lunchtime hike to the favorite buffet in Davis. And of course the Mustang Ranch, afterwards.

Bob Burd wrote:

kevin trieu wrote:So you saying that Bob works for the MLC SC?

I was starting to suspect that Bob has secretly been working for them and is on a mission to undermine all future winter climbs in the Sierra.

Hey Bob I'm on you to, buddy!

What? I was doing just the opposite - I was giving you directions and distances and sending you on your merry way with nary an avalanche or winter hazard warning. If I was working for the MLC SC, I would be telling you about the stress you would be putting on the mountain creatures whose burrows you are thoughtless trampling over, and tell you about the environmental horrors of sanding the roads which is being done to allow you to participate in such unnecessary and selfish leisure activities. Then I would suggest you come join us instead for a teatime stroll in downtown Sacramento or perhaps the lunchtime hike to the favorite buffet in Davis. And of course the Mustang Ranch, afterwards.

I apologize. I don't know what got into me, accusing you of such atrocity. How can I make it up to you? Just name it. I've got an idea! How about I break trail for you all the way to the tarn below the southwest face of Black Kaweah a day or two before so you can dayhike it? Now that you are oh so close to completing the SPS as dayhikes, you need to complete the list again, in winter. Just an idea.

kevin trieu wrote:How about I break trail for you all the way to the tarn below the southwest face of Black Kaweah a day or two before so you can dayhike it?

That would be awesome. I'll send Rick and Matthew a PM right away.