Pioneer Basin/Mono Divide

“When is the peak mosquito season for the Sierras, the beginning of August?”

“I find the mosquito hatch varies in the Sierra depending on melt. The worst that I've seen was in Late June but then again that meadow we camped at last summer was bad in Late July. Elevation plays into it also.

Bottom line. There's always some place where it's bad but mid-August is a preferable time.

Oh, Hi Matty!”

“Hi Billy! Do you want to come out and play with me in a few weeks?”

“If my mommy will let me. See you in a few! That's the plan anywho!”

“In case no one saw this yet
Ranboze over at High Sierra Topix posted about the snow conditions at Mono Pass & with a beautiful picture too!

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=755”

“After seeing the amount of snow still up there, what is the alternative to Cox Col?”

“After last year's snow scare, I think we all know that if there are snow problems, Aussie will just carry our packs over the pass for us.”

“That would be Italy Pass, a former trail which has not been maintained but from what I've read relatively easy. It would require a car shuttle out of Pine Creek.”

“Hopefully with almost a full month still before you all leave, that most of the snow will be gone.
Geologyguy if you all did go out over Italy Pass and down Pine Creek...you could get back to the TH at rock creek by going over the Morgan Pass trail which starts near the Tungsten mine follows Morgan creek up to the pass, looks like a mining road to the pass. RJ Secor has this trail in his peaks and passes book on page 303. But I would think Cox Col would be fine by then where you would not need to go over Italy”

“Madeintahoe, Yes, that could be a route, but it would mean going from 11K to 8K back to 10K Ouch. The car shuttle is 34 miles.”

“Hey, what is another 3000 foot climb on the last day. It is a dirt road of sorts most of the way.”

“Italy Pass is easy:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/87646609/1088512357028356326wxmYzV”

“I'm sure, that after last year, we'll be able to deal with the creek crossings and snow. Just teamwork and a bit more adventure. I'm beginning to see a trend in trips planned by geologyguy.

And we have a few more weeks yet - conditions will change by then.”

“I agree with Aussie. There's still plenty of time for any snow to melt; and we do work well as a group.”

“We just got back from Yosemite. Less than a week before we left, I read a trip report on Summitpost that had snow covering most of the terrain at the level of the Cathedral Lakes where we spent our first night. When we got there - 6 days after the person who wrote the report, all of that snow was gone. And we're having a heat spell.”

“I think I'm going to make an executive decision, and that is to exit out over Italy Pass (XC). This route out will be easier, and possibly more scenic. It will require a short car shuttle between Pine Creek and Rock Creek THs. We can deal with that on Saturday morning.

Also, there is now one paid spot open on this trip. Anyone? Anyone?”

“After reading this executive decision, I was thinking about maybe hiking up to Morgan Pass and back to Rock Creek Trailhead. This is all contingent on what time we get to the Tungsten Mine and how hot it is out. The road up Morgan Creek looks totally exposed. Just a thought right now since it means climbing up 2-3000 feet to the pass. Got time to decide.”

“Hi, all, Jerry and I will be driving and have our car available for a shuttle.

Will we all be at Tom's Place in time for dinner the first night? I've heard their food is great.”

“I am driving up after work Friday and will not get there until between 10-12. Just need to figure out where to crash for the night. Will meet up at the trailhead or for breakfast if anyone knows where and when they will be eating.”

“Also, there is now one paid spot open on this trip. Anyone? Anyone?”
geologyguy
7:21:28 AM

I'll have my private jet warmed up! ;-)
(I wish)”

“Mark, If you're thinking of doing Morgan Pass because of you're arrival, no worries, we can do the shuttle in the morning. If you're doing it for fun. SICK.

I'm thinking of dinner and breakfest at Tom's Place.”

“No Morgan Pass on the last day after coming down from Italy Pass. With this heat right now it is only a thought.”

“Snow worries, heat worries, Californians sure due worry a lot.”

“Don't forget the mosquito worries and the earthquake worries and the wildfire worries.

And the dinner worries......... Do we need to reserve for dinner at Tom's?”

“I am so looking forward to these types of worries and challenges. It'll be an escape from the others I'm dealing with every day.

I'm looking forward to the heat. One of the reasons I like to backbpack down south.....”

“I'm not sure about reservations. We'll likley arrive about 6 pm at Tom's Place.”

“I doubt we need to make dinner reservations. It sounds like a pretty laid back place.”

“I'll call tomorrow and ask. It's not that they would be too crowded, but I thought I heard somewhere that they just make enough food for anticipated diners and a few extra. I've never even seen the place, but I've heard the food is great.”

“Just called and reservations aren't needed. We'll shoot for being packed Thurs night and heading out early Fri in order to be there at 6 PM.

Got our new Hubba Hubba yesterday, and ordered Jerry a Vapor Trail pack, which should arrive next Monday. + 3 lbs on the tent, and - 3 lbs on the pack with a net benefit in comfort.”

“I have a Hubba Hubba - very nice and great ventilation.”

“I have the Hubba and like it a lot. We sat in Trekkinggirl's Hubba Hubba on the Yosemite trip and were amazed at the spaciousness compared to our Tarptent. Let's see if we complain about weight or consider it worth the extra weight.”

“I don't think we're going to have a problem with snow, its the quartz in the mountain that I'm concerned with. It's melting temp is relatively low. ITS HOT OUTISDE!!!
last edited: 7/20/06 5:04:28 PM”

“I haven't been paying much attention to weather outside Seattle - how hot is hot ?

Going up St Helens on Saturday - wondering how hot it'll be up there - a hot day (relatively speaking) in Washington plus, I'm assuming, some heat from the volcanic activity....”

“Sacramento 103; Tahoe 90 (Saturday)”

“Hmmm....toasty.

Well - within the next 2 weeks multiple weather systems could pass through. I guess the snow has been melting rapidly, so I'll be bringing footwear for stream/torrent crossing.”

“Finally, looking at the map. Gabbot Pass is not on my Tom Harrison map. Many posts back, Stovie asked if we follow Mills Creek to the pass between Mt. Gabb and Mt. Dade. Is that Gabbot Pass?

Also, are you (Geo) thinking of Lake Italy to Granite Park, camp, then Granite Park to Pine Creek, so we finish on the day we had planned to finish?”

“I've eaten breakfast at Tom's Place several times. It is a combination general store/coffee shop. Nothing fancy. Food was good. Last time two girls were eating breakfast in their pajamas.

I left my stainless steel coffee mug on the counter in the General Store on the way to Mammoth. It was still sitting there on the way back a few days later!”

“Hi, Phil. How does Tom's compare to the Tuolumne Grill? Did you see that we are now going over Italy Pass?

I found Gabbot Pass. And studied Secor, Roper, and internet trip reports. We should see some stunningly beautiful countryside.”

“Sorry to butt in again, but you should be able to get from Lake Italy to the trailhead at Pine Creek in one day. Italy Pass is easy - there's a use trail, so it's almost like being on a trail. Or, you can make it a longer trip and camp at Honeymoon Lake or in Granite Park on the way out. Julius Ceasar looked like a fairly easy scramble from Italy Pass if anyone is interested in bagging a peak. I wish I had done it while out there.”

“With an exit at Pine Creek, where would the last campsite be? Pine Lake? Just wondering since Aussie and I will probably need to hit the road by lunch on Thursday in order to make our flights.”

“wannabp - Tom's Place is nicer and larger than the Toulumne Grill. It is a decent sized restaurant with booths, tables, and chairs. Deservedly known for good food.

This trip is almost doable for me now with the easier route. Unfortunately I am committed to something else from Aug 2-9.
last edited: 7/22/06 10:59:21 AM”

“Phil, could you reschedule the commitment?

Wingding, you are not butting in. Your input is always welcome. :-) I wasn't looking at the ease of getting back to a TH, but rather at how many nights the trip was scheduled to be so out-of-towners get the most Sierra days and don't need to find a place to stay. 'Course, they may prefer a bed and shower before boarding their planes.”

“I don't need a bed, just a shower. I still have to figure that one out.”

“wannabp - Thanks for the concern! My wife is going to Portland August 2-9 to be with her sister after surgery. I will be home with our youngest daughter.”

“Are there any campgrounds between the exit trailhead and the airport where there might be showers we can pay for ? We did this at a KOA campground a few weeks ago.

Went up St Helens this morning - was actually a little chilly up there although the first two miles in forest at 5 this morning were stiflingly hot. I think we may have had record temps in Seattle yesterday and apparently its 94 right now - atypical for here, but I like it.”

“Here's info on places you can take a shower:

http://www.climber.org/data/showers.html”

“Phil, that's a commitment to keep.

Wingding, what an awesome link.”

“Kathy, thanks for the shower link and the info on Italy Pass. I remember looking at your Webshots photos on the area and your descriptions. Lots of help.

With the exit out Italy Pass (which is still up for discussion, sorry Phil!), the trip should still be 5 nights. I was thinking of either making it to Granite Park or Honeymoon Lake, both relatively short last days, and all downhill.”

“geologyguy! No problemo...don't worry about me. I just enjoying looking on at this point. It motivates me to get in better shape for next year!”

“Here is some eye candy to get everyone dreaming.

Wingding's photos
http://community.webshots.com/album/84122525skbbTQ

A similar trip starting Aug 8
http://www.bytwerk.com/sierra/2006plan.htm

Buck's photos
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/32331,-1.php

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckforester/123620795/
http://www.talusdancers.org/tripreport/2003/pioneerbasin
http://www.accesscom.com/~ddonehoo/pioneer/pioneer01.htm”