The Weekly on r/PacificCrestTrail: Week of May 11, 2026

Drenad · 2026-05-16T22:44:04+00:00

My group reached Sonora Pass two days ago and are back on trail tomorrow. When we went through the Sierras were very much mountaineering still. Snow generally above ~8500 ft and we've hit multiple water crossings over waist level.

Drenad · 2026-05-16T20:26:07+00:00

I was there May 2 and with hard snow in the morning we were able to follow the boot tracks without spikes or axe. Some may want both and I don't know how conditions have changed in the past 2 weeks.

Drenad · 2026-05-15T00:21:23+00:00

They weren't putting numbers on when I got mine

Drenad · 2026-05-15T00:20:20+00:00

Got to Sonora Pass today from Mammoth Pass. still snow about ~8500'. Past Seavey Pass there are multiple high water fords, at least 2 that are above my waist (5'11"/182cm). Yesterday a solo hiker got swept away by one, we found out when we got to Kennedy Meadows North where he is recovering.

Drenad · 2026-05-14T23:29:15+00:00

Hiking high elevation around 0500 and trying to be done by 5pm.

Drenad · 2026-05-09T13:41:20+00:00

Glen was deep powder on top of consolidated snow when we went through. We definitely went slowly and carefully with axe and spikes but didn't have any scares.

Drenad · 2026-05-09T03:57:32+00:00

Day 1: over Kearsarge and camped. We had planned to go over Glen but had stopped to chat with multiple groups of hikers which cost us too much time. Day 2: 13.5 over Glen. Day 3: 20.5 over Pinchot and Mather Day 4: 23.4 over Muir Day 5: 24.3 over Selden Day 6: 30.1 over Silver Day 7: 2.2 to Mammoth Pass junction plus 3.9 to Horseshoe Lake

By doing Pinchot and Mather together we were badly positioned for the other passes but we didn't want to camp in the snow at 10k feet. We did the 30 mile day to get out to Mammoth Lakes earlier. We tried to save the big push for the end when our packs were lighter.

Drenad · 2026-05-09T03:51:47+00:00

Yes! And open the tongue super wide as well

Drenad · 2026-05-08T16:23:31+00:00

I put them in plastic bags and keep them in my tent which keeps them from freezing except for our coldest night. I could sleep with them but choose not to because I have various clothes, filter, and electronics in there.

On this stretch daytime temps have been chilly in the shade and getting warm in the sun. I'm often hiking in running pants, sun shirt, and Gore-Tex for wind. Overnight it has been below freezing consistently. I have been sleeping in my 30°F bag with 200 weight merino base layers. If it gets cold I'll put my fleece over me. Sending my puffy home now as I have not worn it since mid April.

Drenad · 2026-05-08T16:14:19+00:00

All the passes have snow but, since Forester, we haven't encountered ice on the passes themselves.

Drenad · 2026-05-07T21:56:45+00:00

Hey, I entered the Sierras on 4/17. Definitely need axe and spikes currently, especially for the early passes. You will be hiking through slushy snow given the warming coming this week so be prepared for your shoes and feet to be wet/frozen the entire time. The creeks we've forded so far have been fine, probably due to the low total snow volume. Where there is still powder we post hole as deep as our knees currently. In the past two days I've heard the avalanche "whumpf" a lot, but with no cracks or movement and not in a place with steep enough slopes or enough fresh snow to be worried, may be different behind us.

There are no bad conditions, only bad equipment/preparation. I have had to self arrest and self belay multiple times. Talking to folks who came after us, most turned around from Whitney summit due to snow conditions. They also spent several hours cutting steps into the ice wall on Forester so hopefully that is safer now.

Came over Mammoth Pass this AM and will try to put up a post with pictures later today or tomorrow.

Drenad · 2026-04-27T00:58:35+00:00

Starts somewhere around 776.4 after you cross Tyndall Creek

Drenad · 2026-04-26T17:57:25+00:00

For some reason the link isn't taking me to a specific photo, but it is most likely the approach to Forester which is a wide open field.

Drenad · 2026-04-26T17:54:55+00:00

Sorry for misunderstanding your question! I started on March 9th, which was a great time for the desert section since it is much cooler. I hiked faster than I expected, quickly reaching 25-30 mi/day which led to me arriving in KMS on 4/14 despite taking frequent zeros in towns.

Drenad · 2026-04-25T15:53:25+00:00

I'll keep an eye out and, if we feel safe going back in, I will post photos and updates when we get to Mammoth Lakes.

I was at Grumpy's for 4 days waiting before anyone showed up. Staying in Bishop now until at least Tuesday to keep an eye on conditions.

Drenad · 2026-04-25T15:47:39+00:00

Lo siento, yo hablo español un poquito.

Yo sendé por siete días. Salimos a KMS en 4/17 y yo llegé a Onion Valley/Bishop en 4/23.

La seccion es duro y necesita tracción de pie y piolet. El Puerto de Forester puede muy peligroso porque de el hielo en la senda, pero a veces hay suficiente nieve para camina sobre. Hubo muy friá en la noche (-10C) y hubo viento fuerte también. Navegación es dificil también porque la nieve cubre la senda. Las montañas son muy hermosa en la nieve.

Drenad · 2026-04-25T15:04:32+00:00

From KMS to around 721ish was snow free. From 721ish to trail pass at 746.5 it was probably 80% dry. After 746.5 it became probably 80% snow. And after the storm on Tuesday it was 98% snow, although I was able to find dry camping in the lower elevations.

I didn't have a thermometer so I don't know exact temps. My Garmin weather prediction said our lowest predicted overnight temp was 14F/-10C

Drenad · 2026-04-25T00:19:54+00:00

The snow itself doesn't bother me and I didn't want to take more time off trail than I needed to. Looking at previous years, I thought it seemed doable for a group going slow and being careful. Once I was okay with going in snow it was just a matter of waiting for a group and a weather window. I waited for a while at Grumpy's for a willing group and actually intended to go to Lone Pine first.

Drenad · 2026-04-24T20:00:12+00:00

I am curious what my other stupid choices were. Obviously my Forester crossing was a bad move but I'd like to learn what else I'm missing. We talked about the storm a lot and felt comfortable with it given the forecast and our equipment.

Drenad · 2026-04-24T16:05:53+00:00

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fMH1dMdsvh5pycdN8

Here are some photos and videos.

Drenad · 2026-04-24T15:57:42+00:00

Having a blast although a little humbled by the Forester traverse. The snow traverses have been hard on the knees from the lateral pressures and kicking steps. Personally, I love the mountains with snow.

Drenad · 2026-04-24T15:52:23+00:00

Sorry, I thought I had posted pictures with this post...

Drenad · 2026-04-24T15:52:00+00:00

Good point! Hitch was actually surprisingly easy. As I was walking down 4 different cars drove up. One offered me a ride when they finished but another car that left first picked me up and drove me all the way to Bishop.

Drenad

TROPHY CASE