News of California

Just wondering - how carefully (if at all) do folks clean their gear (specifically stuff that carries dirt, including car, boots and tents) if they have been hiking or camping in areas known to have sudden oak death? Do you give it a rinse? Not bother? I've seen requests from park authorities to clean dirt off in that case to limit the spread of the disease, and like to be responsible, but not sure how ...

(Starting a new thread)

Any reports on mid-May conditions in the Palisades. I have a permit for Split Mtn/ Red Lake trail later this week. I am guessing mostly dry low with patchy snow and ice over 10k. But if anyone has been up there and seen anything different I would love to know.

Thanks in advance.

I am thinking of exploring Trinity Alps over the Memorial Day weekend. The plan is to set up base camp somewhere in the back-country and bag a few peaks.

Any idea what conditions to expect this year ?

I've got the day off on Sunday and I'm looking for a peak to do in the Eastern Sierra that won't require and Ice Axe. Since it's been a pretty low snow year I was hoping I might have some luck with either the South Ridge of Mount Gould or Mount Langley via New Army Pass. I know that may be asking for too much on May 19th, but I figure that they're south facing ...

Anyone been up Middle Palisade in the last week or two? Wondering if I can get by with non-rigid shoes, or if I must still wear the big ones.
Thanks!

Has anyone made the drive across Bairs Ck recently? Which directions did you use, and in what shape is the road?
Is it doable in a non-rented Prius? Thanks....

I wonder who of those attempting Casaval Ridge over the last couple of weeks or so found the route out of shape and traversed to West Face Gully (NOT because they were told) and who did the complete upper route (e.g. Catwalk). Could you share your feedback please? I’m trying to find a common ground in communication about mountain conditions.

I did not see these rumors justified and such misleading information frustrates me.

My trip ...

Bizzare... this isn't in the news media here at all. When the same happened in LA it was a national event with $1 million rewards and exploding cabins. Here we have nothing but the local crew from Petrolia running around... since Tuesday!

CRIME/INCIDENT: Triple homicide
LOCATION: 28400 Alpine Way, Shingletown, CA
VICTIM(S):
Sandy Miller, wife, 34 years old
Shelby Miller, daughter, 8 years old
Shasta Miller, daughter, 4 years old

SUSPECT(S): Shane Franklin Miller, ...

http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/05/06/57350.htm

Owens Lake once covered 108 square miles and was up to 50 feet deep. Today much of the old lake bed is a mud and salt flat. In certain conditions, winds cause akaline dust storms that carry away as much as 4 million tons of dust and dirt from the lake bed each year. The lake itself, much shallower than it was, covers no more than 27 square miles today.

I came across this ...

This summer, a group of us are hiking from the valley, to Tuolumne Meadows. Have any of you done this before? Any suggestions?

I think we are doing it in 4 days/3 nights. Staying an additional night at the Tuolumne Meadows campground, then taking the shuttle back in the morning.