Trail Conditions, PCT, Sonora Pass to Tuolumne Meadows, Then to Happy Isles,

I flew over this area a few days ago, and Leavitt Lake was frozen solid and there looked to be plenty of snow there….

I doubt it will be very bad in a couple weeks.  I was just up at Cold Mountain near Tuolumne Meadows at 9/10k feet, and there wasn’t much snow there even though the PCT map had said the whole thing would be socked in with snow.  Granted, it’s south facing, but even the north facing passes should be fine in a couple weeks especially since it looks like nothing really goes above 11k feet on your trek.

Some of the creek crossings might be tough though.  I can’t comment on which ones since I haven’t done that hike, but maybe others will chime in.

I’m familiar with this from Kerrick Meadows (starting at Peeler lake ). Silver Pass is lowish and easy route finding. Nothing technical for sure. I can’t see any river crossing issues until the one by Benson Lake–but there’s a good log there and anyway the flow is deep but pretty placid. But deep! The next 10,000 foot pass–Benson Pass– melts early and is very easy route finding wise if there is snow. No technical issues,very safe. Then again no bad crossings all the way down to the junction with Matterhorn Canyon. From there I’ve always looped North so I’m unfamiliar with the rest of the route until you hook up at Glen Aulin. If that’s where it hooks up.

Thanks for everyone’s help on this.  I’m bringing along a NOAA snow map to compare what they show versus actual.  It should be an interesting comparison as they’re showing up to 100″ on snow, but based on webcams at the ski resorts and Calif Dept of Water Resources remote monitoring sites this doesn’t appear to be accurate.

and these were taken when?

Aug. 2015

Matterhorn, Kerrick meadows, buggy area around Benson? I maybe way off.

Gaah! I can’t wait!!

two words: mo squitoes. They’re terrible in through here. Be prepared.

that said, nylon pants, rain shell, netting and especially sun grubbies or something for your hands pretty much does the trick. They’re not bad when you’re moving, right?

We’re dialed in for mosquitoes, plenty of permethrin, long sleeve shirts, pants, gloves and netting.  It’s the water crossings I’m concerned about.