Spring Snow levels

The California Drought is over. Instead, we have a deep snowpack. That is wonderful for the parched mountains, but not necessarily ideal for an early thru hike. I am watching the snow melt. Currently, it is completely impassable, at least for a backpacker as opposed to a mountaineer.

Here's the email I sent to WILDCAT:

Basically, we are now just sitting around waiting for the snow to melt in the High Sierras!  We plan to start on about July 9th and finish no later than August 6th.

• We may encounter five areas of snow, totaling about 40 miles, of which two stretches totaling 17 miles are quite likely
• High temps will be 80’s-90’s for the first few weeks, dropping to 60’s near the coast
• Low temps will be from freezing to upper 50’s
• Water sources should be good
• Roads will be clear for Fran to meet us
• Bugs may be horrible!

 Snow estimates

• 1st week – no snow
• 2nd week (last week of July)
  • Eight miles near Caribou Mountain, from mile 129 to 136 (currently 99-197 inches)
  • Nine miles near Deadman Peak, from 145 to 153   (currently 99-197 inches)
  • Four miles, near South Russian River, from 161 to 164   (currently 59-98 inches)
• 3rd week (first week of August)
  • 31 miles, from 255 to 286 may have many patches and traverses
  • Likely snow traverses
    • nine miles near Grizzly Peak Oregon, from 265 to 273   (currently 10-98 inches)
    • eleven miles near Porter’s Camp, from 276 to 286 (currently 10-98 inches), though a lower alternate route will be clear
• 4th week – no snow