June 2-4, Mt. Conness area

Andrew, Henry and I wandered around for a few days around Mt. Conness, then skied the Conness Glacier on the north side of the mountain.  Apparently, Tioga pass road had been open for about three weeks now (where was I???), and when we arrived on Saturday afternoon the road to Saddle Bag lake had just opened.  So instead of walking that 2-mile stretch from the gate to the lake in dress shoes (Silas Wild style), we were blessed with what Ron J likes to call, the rubber-tire traverse.  I did not complain one bit!

We left the car at the crack of 6 pm late Saturday 'morning' from the parking area at the lake.  There was very little snow to slow us down in our tennis shoes and a few hours later we found a nice camp site below the Conness lakes.  Henry packed his food in one of those fancy ultralight carbon fiber bear canisters.  I packed mine in an ultralight plastic grocery bag and after dinner I spent about 30 minutes in the dark trying to find a decent tree to hang my bag of food with a whippet and a shoe string.  In the end I came home with extra food.

On Sunday we wandered above the Conness lakes, then found a scenic high camp near the Conness Glacier.  We skied the small glacier and found great corn.  Unfortunately, the snow is melting fast, but if you're willing to walk a little, there is still plenty of low hanging fruit to be had, even come August and September..... :)!

Photos:

Andrew at camp with North Peak in the background



Kam and Mt. Conness


Andrew skis the glacier while Henry waits his turn.


View from our hotel room.