SIERRA SNOW THIS WEEK…ANYBODY INTERESTED?

I'm looking forward to some snow, hoping for a good snow year. Hope you find someone to go with. Over 3 hour drive for me down 395 to LLV area, was there two months ago on a group trip with a few from our N CA group. Fishing trip.
Duane

How much snow did you find?

gonna try for this weekend if anyone is interested…

finally went…it was gorgeous…lots of snow

Where did you go? What trailhead did you start at?

I went out Friday night. Down to 24 or so was all. All the lakes froze over in Caribou Wilderness next to Lassen VNP. Only me in there. 4" snow in sheltered areas.
Duane

Duane, did you see any good wildlife, or just tracks?

–B.G.–

Bob, I saw few tracks. Someone had done a loop out of Hay Meadows to Long Lake, then looped around Posey, Evelyn Lakes etc. They had a dog. Not many deer tracks.
Duane

Duane, deer and dogs don't interest me too much. That area has some Sierra Nevada red foxes, even though technically it is not in the Sierra Nevada Range. Also, there are some fishers and similar mid-size mammals. I have to get up there soon. I had intended to go just a few weeks ago, right before the snow hit. If there is a half-inch of snow, that is good for tracking. If there is a foot of snow, then that just starts making it miserable for a human.

–B.G.–

Bob, maybe 12 years ago, at one of the lakes, I'd have to consult my map, I saw some critter in the trees. Much larger than a squirrel. Some sort of critter that hangs out in remote areas. I do get a different feeling in Caribou, Lassen and Thousand Lakes.

Duane

"I saw some critter in the trees. Much larger than a squirrel. Some sort of critter that hangs out in remote areas."

Up in a tree, or around the trees?

Larger than a squirrel?

Pine Marten or Fisher?

Ringtail or Weasel?

Of course, it could have been a wolverine. You should be so lucky. They are extremely rare in California, but that would mean going back with a camera.

–B.G.–

i went to big pine and did the south fork trail…didnt make my goal of reaching willow lake…i was breaking trail in a foot of snow…my ps cam failed but i have pther pics.from general area.

Nice, I like the contrast of those photos. Bummer about the cam.

Bob, the animal I saw was up in the trees. Seems it was sorta grayish. ?
Duane

these pics are from the same trip taken with my bigger dslr.

I've been snowed out of trips there (down south) in October for a number of years now. I have to pack a week in advance as I work out of town. I'll have to go loaded for bear I guess, so if the weather goes south, I can still do a trip. Down side is if I can't even make it to the TH, I have to stay closer to home. I've had snow in Yosemite two years in a row and been hiking in my shorts a few hours in 4 inch deep snow, very glad to make camp at night. Planned a trip a week earlier the last two years and still had snow.
Duane

I think there is always a major dump in early october in the sierra south of ynp.It has done this the last 3yrs in a row…I wanted to try snow camping and prefer mtns with snow like in shoulder season or winter.If you solo winter camp you need a book or something.

That is the only thing I hate about mid Oct or so to Feb. the long nights. I read a little, but then my hands get tired, so have to put the book away and try to get some sleep.
Two years ago when I got snowed out of Independence, I car camped a few miles from home. First time car camping with snow on the ground. My little truck barely made it up the FS road to the campground.
Duane

What's wrong with sleeping? After waking up early and driving in the dark to the trailhead I can't wait to get some sleep.

Dave, thanks for sharing the hike details.

like many,i have major sleep problems…i cant sleep on command,i wish i could.