Had a long weekend and was curious what the trail conditions were looking like along the North fork. Friday afternoon (16th Oct '09) I left the relatively uncrowded camp grounds at WP for a day hike to check out the trail. I thought I would share what found.
The first patch of snow on the trail was were the trail crosses to the South side of the creek below the ledges. This patch stretched up the gully until just before the ledges. The trail through the ledges and up to lower boy scout lake was snow free. The snow started again (and remained as far as I ventured) at lower boy scout lake once you cross the creek and head around the South side of the lake. There was just enough snow on the trail to make it slippery at times (6"- 18".) This was easy going until you get to the boulder field that leads up to upper boy scout lake. The boulder field was barely covered and made what would usually be a snow slog or rock scramble into a riskier section for ankles and for me with my son strapped into my backpack (a.k.a. the 30lb hitchhiker), more than I wanted to deal with on an afternoon trek. We headed back down, taking a break in the sun on the north side of the creek below lower boy scout lake.
If anyone goes up the chute to the notch (anytime soon), I would love to hear what that section was like. From lower on the mountain, WP, Lone Pine, it looks relatively filled in ?
It's beautiful as ever up there. Look forward to heading up again soon.
