[pct-l] Trail Conditions: Mammoth to Sonora, Sonora to Donner Pass

[Phil Newhouse]

Nice description C...



On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 2:39 PM, Claire Porter <claire.porter at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hi folks,
>
> Sorry for the long wait between trail updates.  I have not been in Internet
> range for a few hundred miles.
>
> Trail conditions are similar along the whole route after you descend from
> the High Sierra.  The passes and higher elevations are still well-covered
> with snow, especially on the north faces.  But, it is dense and easy to
> walk
> on and soft enough after early morning for good footholds.  Trekking poles
> were very helpful, but I didn't take my ice ax off my pack after Mammoth.
> Navigation can be tricky.  Again, know where you are and where you are
> going.  The lower elevations are clear or have patches only in the shade.
>
> There are still plenty of snow patches that can confuse the trail and be
> icy
> in the morning, but the conditions are not something to panic over.
> Especially in the Desolation Wilderness and around Tahoe in general, there
> are tons of other people out and about, and the trails are well tracked
> even
> in the snow.  Clearly, you should have a map and some map-reading
> experience, but you'll be fine.  Some of the snow patches are steep and
> slippery, so use good judgement when deciding to cross them or go around.
> If you made it over the High Sierra, these sections will be a breeze.
>
> The "lethal" snow fields on either side of Sonora Pass are most definitely
> not lethal.  Take your time, be careful.  You can usually go around if you
> feel unsafe.  Depending on your desire to be "pure", I suggest cutting the
> long switchback descent to Sonora pass by sliding down the creek's
> snowfield.  Those were the only areas I felt unsafe.
>
> Water is not present in the parts where you are on the Sierra
> Crest.  Otherwise the snowmelt is still everywhere.
>
> Any other details people want? Let me know.
>
> C
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