Hi all,

Hoping to do Mt Conness W. Ridge early week. Has anyone been in the area since the pass has opened? I expect there will be a bit of snow, which is fine as long as it isn't post-holeing the whole way. Was thinking to do 3 day loop.....First night at young lakes or roosevelt lake, next day west ridge conness and descend the east side and camp at alpine lake or elsewhere, then out through saddlebag or elsewhere.

Has anyone done such a loop? Do you think snowshoes/crampons/axe are absolutely necessary this time of year?

Also, would be curious if anyone has been up in the last two days and have sense of the snow elevation, what routes/domes are dry, etc....?

Any beta would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Drew

I took this on 5/6 from half dome to try to get an idea of conditions at Conness. The picture sucks, but you can see a couple small snow fields still on the west ridge. Most of the backcountry on the east side, including alpine lake, is within the Hall Natural Research area and camping is prohibited.

Conness, May 6,2012 Submitted By: Tyler Wick on May 12, 2012

Still quite a bit of snow onthe north side. Ice axe would be useful for descending to Alpine lake. Just came back from skitouring trip in the area. Snow is melting fast though, in two or three weeks you may find lot less snow.
Also, sounds like you are goingto climb with all your camping stuff if you are descending the East ridge?
Road to Saddlebag is all clear of snow but still closed to vehicles.