There has been a good deal of concern from backpackers about the unseasonable snow conditions. Let me report a bit based on the last three days. I had a start point at 8300 feet along the Tioga Road. It was dry. By 8500 feet, when I slipped into a north-facing hill, there was snow, and since I was off-trail it made navigation more difficult. By 9400 feet, the ground was covered about 80%. However, the weather is much warmer now, so it is beginning to melt fast. I predict that the snow volume will melt at about 50% per week now. By 10,000 feet, the snow was fairly steady and the 1-foot sun cups were a menace, even on the south-facing slopes. There didn't seem to be much wildlife out. I saw one black bear by the highway and then two chipmunks and one marmot in the hills. That will change very soon.
–B.G.–
