SEKI Conditions? (Hamilton Dome/Saber Ridge)

Has anyone made the long trek back there recently? My partner and I are looking at climbing at Hamilton Dome (Hamilton Lake) and Saber Ridge (Tamarack Lake Area) but wondering if the descent is safe off of Saber ridge with rockfall from snowmelt - and how filled in the approach is to get around the area. I've yet to be back there and it's quite the hike!

Tim - There are a variety of Satellites now that can offer great detail on snowline in the backcountry areas. I don't know all the options, but the 'Sentinel Hub Playground' is one I use often. 

It looks like there isn't much snow left in there, on the saber descent (ridgeline above the partially-iced lake, left of the cloud).. but maybe some on the north slopes of Hamilton dome (bottom domes in picture)

I wouldn't bring crampons all the way in there based on that, but would bring microspikes, just to be sure. I prefer to use trekking poles for that length of approach with gear, but then leave them at camp. We had a really snowy visit to Saber in 2017? Memorial Weekend (another big snow year), and did bring crampons/axe..  only used crampons on ascent, and didn't use axes. 

Are those roads open now?

Both roads into the High Sierra are still closed, and I don't think they're expected to open anytime soon. 

Jake Messnerwrote:

Both roads into the High Sierra are still closed, and I don't think they're expected to open anytime soon. 

unspecific and incorrect ^ -  just look here for road info:  https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

'Roads End' & 'Mineral King' are both closed for the 'entire season'

Wolverton (pear lake area) and the Crescent Meadow Road (HST & Tamarack/Saber/Angels Wings) entrances are both accessible, 

via HWY 180 (from the north) or via HWY 198 (from the south) as far as I understand. 

Thanks Colin! Looks like we're going hiking, woop! Vitaly's FKT on Saber Ridge is going DOWN (oof JK, not by me at least). 

We hiked in from Crescent Meadow. There's still snow way up high but the Tamarack lake climbs and descents were totally fine. A bit buggy at the lake but nothing traumatic. The slabs to Hamilton dome looked filled in and apparently turned some climbers around a couple of weeks ago, but it might depend on you gusto if you're mad enough to take on the approach to begin with. It's a beautiful place!