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Anyone been out to the west side of Kings Canyon or Sequoia in the last week or so? Thinking of going this weekend- at the last minute as usual. Might head out to Road's End, but it just opened a week ago, so perhaps a long shot that someone's been there.

Anywhere else in the area might be close enough- where's consistent snow coverage, conditions, etc...
Thanks

here's a snip from a friend who went to SEKI last weekend:

"Silliman via the creek of its namesake starting from Lodgepole Campground. It seemed like an easy enough trek, and one that I could complete even with difficult snow conditions. As it turned out though, after making a navigational error in the woods toward the bottom of the route, I just didn't have the drive to push my way through the mushy conditions into the higher elevations. Part of me regretted it, but I was so enjoying just ambling about on the nice, snowy slopes and little crags that it didn't matter.

So yes, travel without snowshoes was hopeless, and with them it was still slow going. The snow was soft and heavy, kind of like mashed potatoes, and it only got worse as the day warmed up. Plus, the snow was still quite deep in the woods, so I think that it'll be a few weeks until we get clear trails"

the mineral king webcam still shows deep coverage as well.

anyone have anything on SEKI elsewhere?

There is still going to be good coverage at higher elevations, but roads end and most of SEKI should be somewhat patchy in the 5-8,000 foot range uless you're on the north facing slopes. You could shoe up to the Pear Lake area:

http://www.sequoiahistory.org/pearlake/ ... lendar.htm

Be sure to use the Backbone trail and not the Watchtower.

sharperblue wrote:
the mineral king webcam still shows deep coverage as well.

Going fast!

http://www.mk-webcam.net/

Note that the second cam shot is over a month old (4/12) and it was from the day after the last big storm. Looks much different today... Take a look at the Silver City cam as well.

Thanks for the info, both of you. looks like ill be in snowshoes most of the day tomorrow, maybe carrying them a little... and trying to start early. we'll see how it goes.

bump! what were things like?

I was there May 15-16. Up the Copper Creek trail from Roads End. Almost entirely south facing.

First hit a few snowdrifts on east facing slopes at 7500 ft. Snow was pretty constant on level slopes, and south facing slopes in the woods above 8000 ft. Exposed south facing slopes had constant snow above 9000 ft, this is where I put snowshoes on for that trail. It was a relatively warm weekend. Was glad to have them from there to 10,500 (it would have been pretty bad without them). Above that the snow was firm enough to do without them. It may be harder packed now.
Lots of snow in Granite Pass and Sphinx Crest area.

On the drive out snow of snow roadside in the forests on northfacing slopes above 6500 ft.

btw last weekend I was further south- and it was so cold snowshoes were not needed- but I used them for crampons. Snowed about an inch.

May 15-16:
Looking south a little over 8500 ft:


Looking west at terrain above 10000 ft

mrchad9 wrote:Anyone been out to the west side of Kings Canyon or Sequoia in the last week or so? Thinking of going this weekend- at the last minute as usual. Might head out to Road's End, but it just opened a week ago, so perhaps a long shot that someone's been there.

Anywhere else in the area might be close enough- where's consistent snow coverage, conditions, etc...
Thanks

Earlier this month a buddy and I did Mt. Silliman. The conditions were excellent in the morning. Here is the album from the trip. http://www.summitpost.org/album/623811/ ... -2010.html

Anyone crossed Bubbs creek going to East Lake care to comment on expected crossing and depth conditions?