Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#202653 - 02/21/19 02:52 PM Handicapping the Calif 2019 hiking season
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Winter 2018-19 has come through in a big way so far and while it's only mid-February, all three Sierra snow basins are over 100% of their April 1 historical averages. Just how much?

Averages:

  • North is 127% for today's date, 106% for April 1.
  • Central is 152% for this date, 124% for April 1.
  • South is 150% for this date, 118% for April 1.
  • The whole range is 144% for this date, 117% for April 1.

This is great for the health of mountains, meadows, forests, streams and wildlife, especially considering it's the second above-average precipitation year in a decade. Hope I'm not jinxing things--if I am it will stop snowing tomorrow until November.

Here's an article presenting some fun aerial comparisons with last year.

My actual point is the high country will probably open later than usual and certainly later than we've become accustomed to in the last decade. A hot spring and/or wet spring rain could change that but so far we're colder and wetter than average, so keep the snowshoes handy. Late-season hikers will enjoy lots more accessible water than we've been seeing.

Cheers,
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#202654 - 02/21/19 03:46 PM Re: Handicapping the Calif 2019 hiking season [Re: Rick_D]
aimless Online   content
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
the high country will probably open later than usual and certainly later than we've become accustomed to in the last decade.

Presumably the Sierra's creeks and rivers will be running higher, for a longer time, than has been usual during that time, too.

Top
#202708 - 02/28/19 08:52 PM Re: Handicapping the Calif 2019 hiking season [Re: Rick_D]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
Waving howdy and an update:

As of 2/28 the range total is 133% of seasonal average and 153% of average for the date.

Historically, Dec-Feb are the wettest months but March sometimes is wet as a wet thing, so stay tuned. PCT northbounders are going to be on a bubble.

Cheers,


Edited by Rick_D (02/28/19 08:53 PM)
_________________________
--Rick

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 158 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum