Quick report......no pics...camera lost while crossing Wright Creek.
My intent was a loop.
Basically, left Horseshoe Meadows on May 3rd, over Trail Pass, thru Mulkey Meadows, Tunnel Meadows and down to the Kern River. Up the Kern, enjoy the hot springs to Junction Meadows, and up Wallace Creek to the junction of the JMT.
At that point, snow was total coverage, and waist deep. Returned the way I came in.
The weather was the pits...snow while at the hot springs (only about a quarter inch), but interesting. The temps stayed cold both during the day, and so cold at night. Oh, windy every day!!!
All rivers were very easy to cross. For those interested, the Wright Creek crossing has been revamped by the trail maintenance crew. When I made this trip last June, it was the old crossing, very dangerous during high water. The trail crew, built steps leading down to the river, and up the other side. They removed rocks to make the crossing very easy. Nice job, and kudos to those guys.
Wright was still a pain in the butt though, about 3 feet from the shore ice extended, snow all over the water fall, and 3 to 4 inch ice build up on rocks and all. I figured that once I stepped in, I had a short period to make it across before my legs froze....water about 30 inches deep.
Anyway, nobody for 5 days except "smokey the bear: at the hot springs....big guy on the trail and when he stood up, I click my poles and he ran off. Also, mister rattler next to the trail...nasty guy...hissed.
paul
