Good Snow Camping

“So we are in the midst of planning our annual snow camping trip and I am on the 'logistics' team. I am trying to find a place that is good for snow camping.

Requirements:
Enough Snow to build a Kitchen
Mild enough terrain to pull sleds
Low Avalanche danger
Sierras

This would be something along the lines of a three day two night trip. Previous locals have been Echo Lakes in Desolation Wilderness, Bridalveil camping/Glacier Point and Fallen Leaf.

Where else can one have prime snow camping in Sierras?”

“You have better start your dance now, Sandyann. I'd hate to wait until a couple weeks before the trip again ;)

Rob”

“I took a trip near Mt. Rose that fit those qualifications a couple years ago. We had to be around snowmobiles for the first couple miles, but then crossed a small pass where they were prohibited, so it was fine.”

“hehehe Rob, I want some snow....not too much as in avalanche.”

“Loon Lake is one of my fav winter destinations, perhaps even whole Crystal Basin area might fit youir requirement. Went snowshoeing last year at Castle Peak back to Peter Grubb Hut, I remember thinking that might also be a good place for a short winter camping trip.”

“Isn't Loon Lake at a lower elevation, say around 6k? Does it get much snow at that level? I am not sure cuz I know on certain sides of the mountains some lower elevations get as much as higher.

I thought about Loon Lake but was sure of the snow depth.”

“Spillway is at 6,410. The amount of snow varies each year, of course, but I've been up there a number of years & we made Quinzee's & other types of snow shelters, always had more than enough snow! Another nice aspect - one of the reasons I started going back there was the "guarantee" of the road being plowed by SMUD if we did get a lot of snow while we were camping, they need to keep it open for access to the power plant at the dam.”

“I was on Mt. Rose a couple years ago w Tahoe, I'm not sure I'd want to pull a sled up & down those hills! Can't remember the time of year, there was just a couple feet of snow when we were there as I recall.

What I DO remember about that trip, though, was coming across the biggest bear print I'd ever seen in my life!”

“Here's our Mt. Rose trip, incl. map....


http://community.webshots.com/album/63947810YQdMMQ”

“Several years ago James (Tekapo/Tekdude/Exavius) took a trip out to Crocker Point in Yosemite. Nice place, great views!”