Snow conditions in Desolation/Yosemite?

[Elizabeth Tracy]

I have two trips coming up. Anyone know the current snow levels at Desolation Wilderness/Tahoe area? How about the Yosemite high country? What elevation has the snow melted to? (North side versus south side slopes.) And how are the mosquitoes? Thanks!

[Rick Dreher]

Hi Elizabeth,

Desolation should be open, just to June rather than typical July conditions. I'd expect all trails to be clear by now. I was on Ralston Peak two weekends ago and there were still big snowfields on north-facing slopes, but it's been quite hot since then.

Wildflowers should be great, and that generally means lots of mosquitoes too. Nevertheless I'm headed back up there this weekend.

I'll defer to others on Yosemite.

Cheers,

Rick

[Elizabeth Tracy]

Quite of a bit of flowing water up there now (Desolation Wilderness), and a healthy dose of mosquitoes.

Snow is thick above ~8200 feet on north-facing slopes, but is absent on the south-facing slopes. I'm told the south-facing trail up Pyramid Peak is now clear all the way to the top (9900 feet).

Still wanting to hear about Yosemite high country…

Elizabeth

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