TT Sierra Backpack/Snowshoe in March

“Can someone post a summary of the trip as it stands so far? I don't seem to be able to back further than two weeks.

Thanks Naviguesser for pointing out this message board.”

“They have the "All" on top of the pulldown. Anyway, a summary would still be nice.”

“Tone: we're still trying to pinpoint the location. We would like a trip in the Sierras that would allow for a fairly short backpack/snowshoe to basecamp with side trip options from there. Virgina Lakes, Ruwau Lake (near South Lake in the Bishop area), and other options have been discussed. Maybe to Tyee Lakes with side trips from there?

Go ahead and make a suggestion as the the destination. The weekend of the 22nd of March has been set as the date.”

“Seeing as this will be my 1st snowshoe, I'll go along with whatever is decided. But, didn't we sort of agree on Virginia Lks.? Looking at the map that looked pretty good to me.


Just talking and still open....”

“I'm open to the location too - but would like to pin it down. Virginia Lakes will work for me, but so will the other suggestions.

Should we just set the location at Virginia Lakes?”

“Location doesn't matter to me since I don't know that area.

Like Naviguesser, I'm new to Snowshoes, so I'd like to use a trip like this to acquainted with them. I guess I'll need to beg, borrow, or steal a pair.

So, I'm in.”

“You can also rent snowshoes at REI or Sport Chalet.”

“Be careful out there. Avalanche danger is high right now. One of the ski patrollers got caught in a avalanche this morning while ski cutting the upper slopes.”

“Because of the avalanche danger in the Sierra, lets go to Omaha.”

“I thought it was Virgina Lakes myself. There is also McGee Creek. I have already been to Tyee Lakes area.”

“I think we're going to Virgina Lk.


unless someone has an opinion.”

“Looks like Wanderer Jr has other plans (guess he's really a teenager with his own life after all), so anyone who needs a pair of snowshoes let me know, I have a pair of Denali's now available!

I'm something like 75% sure I can make this trip (work always can raise it's ugly head,) & can drive anyone from Sacramento.”

“okay, I'll plan on Virginia Lakes unless someone tells me different.

I'm going to work 1/2 day on Friday the 21st and take off up 395 before noon, to make the long drive easier. I think it must be a 6 or 7 hour drive for me.”

“Virginia Lakes is about 80 miles north of Bishop”

“That's the weekend of our honeymoon, so I'll catch you guys on the next trip!”

“You don't want to spend your honeymoon with us? I guess I understand.

80 miles north of Bishop, so that makes it a 5 to 6 hour drive - not too bad.”

“I think Id rather sleep in a shelter full of mice and snorers then a pair of honeymooners....”

“The following link has some pix of Virginia Lakes.

http://www.hiking-world.com/vlakes.shtml”

“The trip is listed on the trips page. We have 6 people signed up so far, and that doesn't include Navi, who I'm pretty sure it going; so we'll have at least 7 TTer's on the trip. It'll be fun.

Thanks for the link. Tone.”

“I'm signed up now!”

“Road is plowed, but there were some rough spots towards the end. We used 4wd, but one of the other vehicles got stuck. We also did a new years hike from Green Creek to Virginia Lakes. No one else had been out, and the trail was covered with snow, so we cut our own tracks. I'll upload the pics next week if I can find them (lost to photopoint, but backed up on the hard drive w/o captions)

If you're going to Virginia Lakes in March, here are pictures of the area with snow. Look at the second half of the pics (1st half is Big Pine Lakes dayhike between xmas & New Years), gotta see Virginia Lakes with snow since you're going snowshoeing.”

“Just hooked up with Tahoe, we're going to prolly head out on Friday & camp somewhere near trailhead. If anyone else is coming in Friday, let us know & we'll hook up.

Tone, I'm bringing the MSR Denali's unless I hear back...”

“I'm ready to get out of dodge!! Since I talked to Wanderer, I haven't been able to keep my mind on work.
Right now I'm fine tuning my checklist.”

“I'm heading up on Friday. I think I'll get up there around 5 or 6 pm in the evening, so if you guys know where you're camping fill me in either here on TT or email me. wingding@earthlink.net”

“I signed up on the trips page!

I will probably try to get to the trailhead Fri. night too.”

“Will we have to hike in from Conway Summit? Has anyone checked regarding how far the road is plowed?”

“I'd like to go on this one, but it may be a little too soon to be backpacking after my little run-in with the surgeons knife! I'll see what the doctor says next week.

Of course if someone volunteered to carry my stuff...

;)”

“This is what I've heard about access:

"You certainly can get to Conway Summit. Beyond that it just depends on the snow pack and the temperatures. You can almost always get a few miles further in, and sometimes the road is plowed and you can get all the way."

Trumbull Lake has a campground if we can't get in past there to set up camp.”

“Sounds cool!”

“Just bringing this one up again.

Who's still going?

I am”

“Dang, that's a long drive :)”

“Wanderer, also bringing snowshoes for Tone. Driving down Fri Night with Tahoe & looking for somewhere to camp.”

“I'm still in. Traveling up w/ Naviguesser. Borrowing snoeshoes from wanderer.”

“Can't wait!”

“This is going to be fun.”

“Hmmm, when and where are we going?”

“I'm got this on my calendar IN INK!”

“Just got called to a conference that weekend, DAMN%$#*&.

Tone: I can get my snowshoes to Tahoe if he's stil coming.

Tahoe: Sorry to bail on you buddy, my livelihood calls.

I will email later”

“I totally understand. It has happened to us all.”

“Too bad you can't make it wanderer. I was looking forward to meeting you.”

“Bummer!”

“How much snow are they getting up there? Is travel going to be a problem?”

“Well, my nephew's scout outfit is having the pinewood derby on the 22nd of March so I will not be able to go snowshoing with you all.
Maybe next time.”

“Did all of the northern people drop off? Should we move the destination closer to Southern California?”

“I wouldn't call myself northern California, but compared to you guys I suppose I am. I'm about 75% sure I'm going to go on this one.”

“By my count we still have:
elulofs
Me
sdsierrahiker
shosh
tekdude
tone
wind walker
wingding0
and WLD & Hikin Mike as maybes.

That's at least 2 people from "northern".

That being said, Wingding, where are you going to be Fri. night? Is there a campground on the road up? A lodge?”

“Weather forecast for Sat. 3/22:
High of 47 low of 21 with a 20% chance of precip.
Same for Sun. except for 52/19.”

“That's for Mammoth Lakes.”

“Great! - we still have northern people going. I'm going up on Friday, but I decided to stay at the Best Western in Lee Vining on Friday night instead scouting out a camping spot. I'm hoping to get up there early enough to check out access to Virginia Lakes on Friday for Saturday morning.”