Planning on hiking the full Sierra High Route solo this summer. I have two time windows and am having trouble deciding which once I should go with.
Looking for insight/advice to help me decide. Flight price is similar for both sets of dates.
With there likely being so little snow this season, things are probably shifted earlier in terms of snowpack, bugs, vegetation growth, etc versus previous years.
Here are my two time windows along with notable pros/cons that I can think of.
Option 1: Fri 6/15 -> Wed 7/4 (allows 17.5 days of hiking time)
+ Extra day of hiking with no additional vacation day (Free day off from work 7/4)
+ More snow (less talus)
+ Even less people (not expecting many anyway)
– More snow (harder route finding + higher risk)
– More stormy weather?
– 1 less month to train and prepare
– More bugs?
– Ice axe needed?
Option 2: Fri 7/13 -> Tues 7/31 (allows 16.5 days of hiking time)
+ Fewer bugs (hopefully due to very early snow melt)
+ Less snow (easier route finding and less risk)
+ No ice axe needed
+ 1 extra month to train and prepare
+ Less stormy weather?
– 1 less day of hiking (less time for peak bagging or easier pace)
– Less snow (more talus)
– 1 less day of hiking time for same # of vacation days
– Slightly more people (still not expecting many)
Can anyone provie any additional thoughts or insight?
Thanks!
