Section Hike Ideas - Cascade Locks to KM South

[Team Pancho]

I am hoping to get a big section in this summer. Looking in to heading south from Cascade Locks and hopefully making it through the Sierras before October. When's the earliest I should start in order to avoid deep snow pack (or at least not have to carry my crampons and ice axe)? I was thinking late June/early July but I don't know if that's in the right ballpark or not. Thanks!

[nsherry61]

. . . When's the earliest I should start in order to avoid deep snow pack . . . late June/early July but I don't know if that's in the right ballpark or not. . .

For a year like this year, that is probably in the right ballpark, although you may need to push more to mid July than early July. Most of June will surely still have way more snow that most people will want to walk through. Actually, snowshoes may be more useful than crampons in late spring and early summer with soft, warm, deep snow this year.

Good luck, and have fun!