Route: Cottonwood Lakes TH, New Army Pass, shortcut to Miter Basin, Crabtree Pass, Crabtree Lakes to Crabtree Meadow, return on PCT to Cottonwood Pass and then back to Cottonwood Lakes TH.
Campsites: Lake 12129 (above Sky Blue Lake) in the Miter Basin and in Crabtree Meadow at the Whitney Creek crossing of the PCT.
Conditions Update for those traveling in this area in the near future:
Trail over New army Pass is free of snow.
Hordes of mosquitos are camping at Sky Blue Lake.
On the descent over Crabtree Pass, snow is encountered at the very bottom next to the shoreline (of the highest Crabtree Lake). The usual campsites in this location are buried in snow.
On the other side of this lake, two areas of snow must be crossed, both with a steep runout into the lake. A skid into to the lake here might be fatal. In advance, have a plan for traction and time of crossing.
On the PCT there is no water source for the 10 miles between the Rock Creek crossing and Chicken Spring Lake.This stretch was covered all day by cloudy weather and a cooling breeze, but typically it is quite hot. (It rained the night before at the Crabtree meadow campsite.)
In the Miter Basin and along the Crabtree Lakes only a solo hiker and a party of 3 were seen. Be particularly prepared for self rescue in these gorgeous areas.
Many hikers were encountered on the PCT, all heading north. A large percentage of them were beginning the JMT. They were in in high spirits and looking for the adventure ahead.
Jim
