Too much Snow!!

[Benny]

Well this blows, just got a call from Recreation.gov stating that my reservation for June 18-23 at Lake Mary had been cancelled due to much snow... I was so looking forward to taking the family back up for another camping trip. Need to make alternate plans now.

Closure Notice: This facility will be closed until June 29th, 2017 due to snow.

[DarkShadow]

I'm hearing Tioga Pass won't be open until after the 4th of July.

[Benny]

I'm hearing Tioga Pass won't be open until after the 4th of July.

That sure sound like lots of snow still up in the mountains. Great for all the rivers, streams, and lakes. Bad for my family vacation plans.

We'll figure something out.

[John Harper]

Do you get any refund of your reservation?

John

[Benny]

Do you get any refund of your reservation?

John

Yes, full refund. They sent me conformation email.

Gotta find new place to go, wanted Twin Lakes, just can't risk waiting for a walk-in camp site with family in tow. If I was alone I would take the chance on the walk in camp site or just crash in the truck bed if I didn't get a camp site.

Any other nice location anyone can suggest? Convenience of bathroom and shower would be great.

[Papasequoia]

Shady Rest is snow free, the RV park across the street has showers free for guests or if you stay at shady a small fee. No word yet on when lakes road will open.

[Gary C.]

We were planning a backpack into the Domeland this weekend but the FS says that the Cherry Hill road is still closed to where we want to go. We are still going up there but I may have to hike some other options.

[Benny]

Current Snow report from Tioga Road

[Baughb]

Well THAT was a hard earned snow report! Thanks!!


Bob

[Papasequoia]

Went for a walk around the lakes basin yesterday - I can't imagine why they canceled your reservation, Benny. Oh wait, did I mention we were using snowshoes? The town is telling everyone they don't know when the road will open which makes you think they are hard at work like on Tioga. As it turns out they haven't even STARTED to plow yet. Here's a few pics.

Here's the wife and I enjoying Lake Mary





Mary was totally frozen. Here is a shot of Mamie which is melted only in the middle where Mammoth Creek flows through it.



The waterfall heading down to the Twin Lakes lots of snow around them still, especially on the side opposite the road, but they look fishable.





Oh, and you know that little turnout/parking area where you can pull in and view the Twin Lakes and across them the waterfall? Here's a shot of the bustop in that parking lot.



Have fun!

[Benny]

WOW! Thanks for the report. That surely explains why they canceled the reservation. Looking at the images makes me think they will not be open even on June 29. That's just amazing how much snow is up in the Sierra even coming into June. WOW!

[Wildman]

I think we should have a flow pool....when will the Owens go below 760 cfs!

[stanbery]

Benny
Look at June lake loop area.
jon

[Ants]

Papasequoia,
If I was at the area, I would be checking ice depth and casting for the open water.

The geocache will take a lot more shoveling now than it did during the summer.

Nice information update.

Ants

[Papasequoia]

June 8 update:

Well, it's melting fast, for sure. This is 10 days ago on the banks of Lake Mary:



This was today:



On the other hand, the lake hasn't changed much and is still frozen all over. Thinner maybe, but hard to tell. This picture was taken today from the same spot as the one with my wife and I on snowshoes above:



The Mammoth Creek current going through Mamie continues to melt it from the middle towards the shoreline:



Top of the waterfall looking down towards Twin, it is really roaring now:



The road is now being plowed, it stops at the gate to Horseshoe, looks like it is plowed around Mary, will hike up to George tomorrow to take a peek. The sign for Mary below is the same one taken 10 days ago:





While there are some bare patches and the road is being plowed there are still some deep drifts. I'd be planning on lower elevation campgrounds for the next few weeks!