Monitor Pass re-opened yesterday and rumors are swirling that Tioga Pass may open as well.

http://www.sierrawave.net/28135/monitor-pass-re-opens/

I was in Reno last week -- looked like you could hike the south slope of Mt Rose to the summit, 10,776', without touching snow. My kid said skiing at the Mt Rose resort was great, but that's a north-facing slope and they make their own snow.

boyblue, thanks for the photos and info. You're right about 1978, it is on record as one of the biggest rain seasons for California I believe if not the biggest. I don't know what's more rare, rain the past couple years or that phone booth.

sharperblue, thanks for the conditions update. The upper slopes of Alta and other peaks are probably mushy if not completely barren.

Anybody know how far you can make it up any of the following roads: Horsehoe Meadows, Onion Valley, Big Pine to Glacier Lodge? Thanks!

wow



http://unofficialnetworks.com/nasa-show ... ht-127886/

Clark_Griswold wrote:

Clydascope wrote:wow



http://unofficialnetworks.com/nasa-show ... ht-127886/

And, that is impressive because you're basically comparing a record dry year (2013) to a year (2014) that is starting out even drier than the previous year.

Looks like even with storms, this year could be worse than 1976-1977.

2012 had a very wet ending. The map dated January 13, 2013 shows a normal to slightly above normal snowpack for that date. Calendar year (not a measurement normally given notice) 2013 was extremely dry by modern standards, resulting in a dry 2012-2013 precipitation/snowpack season and an extremely dry start to the 2013-2014 season. Much of the snow that fell in November-December 2013 (mostly Nov.) has melted, and California has been experiencing record warmth to start 2014 rather than storms. The map dated January 13, 2014 does show a stark contrast from normal snow cover!

As far as breaking any full season or multi-season records for low precipitation and snowpack, we still have February, March, and April (sometimes May brings precipitation, especially in the far north).

The long term forecast for February came out today and predicts continuing below normal precipitation with above normal temperatures: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/

This map and corresponding tables show snowpack water content measurements and the date is changeable, so you can go back and see where the snowpack water content stood on a given date as far back as October 2001 (North, Central, and Southern divisions included): http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action

Edit: I just spotted a link that provides some of the same maps, but adds a few more, for a more thorough (albeit somewhat alarmist sounding) summary.
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/01/extreme-drought-in-california.html?m=1

Hey -

Given the low snow year, I was thinking of heading up to the Eastern Sierra soon. Has anyone any info on these areas:

-Split Mountain
-White Mountain and the road up

Thanks for any info - and all the great links and pictures everyone - so helpful.

Did Wheeler Crest today via north ridge from Rock Creek Rd. What a slog! The snow we encountered is the same dry crap that's been out there for 2 months. Makes for difficult travel, even with snowshoes thanks to a hard crust anywhere from thin to 4" with extremely faceted dry fluff underneath.
Think good and hard about where you're going out there and which aspect or deep landscape you will travel through.
It's not the amount of snow, it's the TYPE of snow. It is not consolidating, it's becoming more faceted and a pain in rear.

I probably know the answer... but what are the conditions on Morrison? Has anyone been there lately?

fruitflyman wrote:I probably know the answer... but what are the conditions on Morrison? Has anyone been there lately?

Which aspect? The east to south aspects are relatively dry. Go for it! You will step in some snow near the base but the class 2 route looks good.

Pine Creek trail to Pine Lake is in good shape, just stay in previous post-holes and you'll avoid most post-hole madness. I jumped off the trail just before lake to climb a waterfall, so don't follow to small boot prints heading into canyon unless you're ready to suffer.

Best guess from South Lake towards Bishop Pass (eg, Gilbert)? Is the road open to North lake as well? what about beyond Pine Creek Lake?

Good luck driving to South Lake. 4WD/chains. I would expect most post-holing and annoying a trip it would be because it doesn't get sun until later in the day.
Road closed in Aspendale; walk an extra 3.5 miles to Lamarck/Piuate trailhead. Great snow coverage according to pics of a friend who did Emerson Monday.
Snow was getting knee-deep prior to Pine Lake so I would suspect good coverage to the pass, maybe sparse in open spaces to Ceasar and BCS.
Good luck!

Took a ride up to Onion Valley yesterday, got within a quarter mile or so from the trailhead after crossing a couple patches of snow. Snow eventually stopped me but cars are making it through.



Some rocks on the road too.