I too went for an overnight scouting/training mission this weekend. Left from the Benchmark trailhead and took the S.F. Sun River trail (203) ~20 miles up to the base of the Chinese Wall. The last ~4 miles of my walk was quite snowy. Patchy snow began ~6000 ft. on north aspects and became increasingly consistent on the trail until ~7000 ft. where it was full coverage and at least a few feet deep. The snow was undoubtedly deeper where I was than elsewhere, on a northeast aspect beneath the Wall. I expect there will still be snow on most aspects >7000 ft. in two weeks.
I was in trail runners and didn’t really posthole too bad, I think you would describe the snowpack as isothermic corn, but it did slow me down considerably and take toll on ankles and calves. The trails lower down were a bit muddy, but totally manageable.
Otherwise conditions were excellent. Cloudy mornings in the 40s, clearing a bit by afternoon to maybe high 50s, dropping to something like low 30s at night. No other traffic, grizzly tracks but no trouble, elk down grazing. Creeks and springs are all running, which meant I didn’t need to carry much water. High creeks also meant some wet crossings, but nothing dangerous.
I am wishing I had 4 days to do the Open, though, because my body is sore today!
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