Should we do the JMT this year?

Eric,
You profile says "Send me a PM if…."

…. but you haven't enabled you PM messaging. Unlike other forums, it's not automatic.

Well, when the plants are well watered and the creeks are running high that's also when the skeeters are at their worst…
The high Sierra is gorgeous no matter when you go. Why wait?

The plants will not be well watered and the rivers will not be high this August…
That said, the Sierra is beautiful in drought years too.
I fear that the big negative could be smoke from fires… nasty to breathe and ruins the views.
Typically the worst time of the year for fires is mid August through September… but could start even earlier this year as it is so dry.
I live in the Sierra and backpack every summer.. August being prime time…
I may still do a trip in August, but am holding out of state possibilities in reserve if it is smoky.

Billy

I was in the Sierras last year around august, which I think was worse than this year but not sure.
All of the major river and waterways had plenty of water and were flowing well. They were not full.
Some of the smaller unnamed creeks and streams that would normally provide convenient trail side water were dry. The major creeks had plenty of water.
The plants in the meadows were not very lush. Perennial bunch grasses were still green. Trees and bushes all look the same.

Water sources will not be an issue, but you may have to carry some extra on certain routes.

A dry year in the sierra is still plenty wet.

Thanks for the info, I guess I will still have to see how bad of fires are this year. And I set up my pm now.

If you can do your trip in July you might have a better chance of avoiding the smoke from fires… and the wild flowers should still be in bloom. And the skeeters should have subsided… everything will be about a month early this year.. flowers, skeeters, etc…

billy