Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Thousand Island Lake -- May 22nd

Hello all!

This is a bit far from Whitney, but I was planning a trip with a couple friends to Thousand Island Lake over Memorial Day in Ansel Adams Wilderness (near Mammoth). I was wondering if anyone has advice on the snow conditions up there? We are all prepared to take snowshoes, especially with the snow falling right now, but we just want to be sure what we are getting into so we can prepare appropriately. We're guessing the lakes will be frozen as well.

I called Mammoth Ranger Station and they didn't know the conditions, but Reds Meadow is supposed to open May 23rd so we're guessing it should be pretty clear.

Thank you!

Matt

You won't need snow shoes. What snow is there will be consolidated through a number of melt/freeze daily cycles. Many years ago, I took Memorial Weekend backpack trips, and when there was snow, it was easy to walk over it with plain hiking boots.

Thousand Island lake might have ice, but it won't be completely frozen over.