[pct-l] Marble Mtn Wilderness Snow Update

[Deems]

I hiked into the Marbles today to review a foxtail pine stand on Box Camp 
Mtn at 7300ft.  I was surprised at the current snow conditions, how little 
was on the south faces, and the amount of snow on the north faces.  I hiked 
on only a little bit of snow to get up to the top of Box Camp Mtn at 7300ft, 
but the north face cornices were incredible! I had great views of Marble 
Mtn, Marble Valley, Black Marble, Sky High Basin, Paradise Lake, and Big 
Ridge.  Big Ridge is mostly melted out, as are all the sections of the PCT 
on south and west faces. The east face PCT is exposed at about 6000ft. 
Paradise lake and Sky High basins are melting out fast, as is most of Marble 
Valley.  The largest PCT snowfield I saw was the expanse on the east face of 
Black Marble Mtn. July 1 is still a great time to try the Marbles, if you 
like to try your skills on some challenging snow sections (ice axe 
recommended). By mid-July, the Marbles PCT will be very tame and melted. 
Here's some photos of what I saw today, and also from my summer soltice trip 
to Cliff Lake. Pages 25 and 26 in this MMW gallery. I'll return to Box Camp 
Mtn on 6/30 and may have an update.
  http://www.pbase.com/losthiker/marble_mountains&page=25