This won't be much of a TR, because it was just a three-hour tour to break in some new boots. But since the conditions at Onion Valley have been a hot (or ice-cold) topic lately, here's what I found at mid-day today on a walk up to Gilbert Lake, about 10,500 feet and, I would guess, half way (height and distance) to Kearsarge Pass.
Trail was virtually clear up to the Muir Wilderness sign, then there was nice, squeaky snow not much more than ankle deep up to Little Pothole, the first lake on the route. I was breaking trail and it was my first time up there, but it was pretty easy to follow -- partly because the deer like to use it, too. That notwithstanding, I managed to lose it on a detour down to the water, but I picked it up again by bushwhacking uphill and west. Shortly before you get to Gilbert, there's a big, wide (old) rockfall. The snow on the trail there was way deeper -- Posthole City to over my knees. (New boots passed that test.) I ended up picking my was across the rocks pretty much the rest of the way to the lake. Nice place for a warm lunch of Costco ramen. Mmmmm.
Coming back down, I found a lot more of the trail, thanks to the deer, again, and from Little Pothole on down, thanks to Sonny and Hannah, a couple from Atco (?? near Lancaster) I'd met in the parking lot. By 2 p.m., there was some freeze/thaw crusting over where all three of us had been twice. Spose it could be a) gone or b) a skating rink by the weekend.
Road up was almost entirely clear and dry -- but watch out for the mule deer. Hope this helps with Kearsarge, etc. plans.
Phil
