This is good info and great news for us folks taking the HST later this month, davehikes! Thanks!
dM: A little caution: This may be good information but it is NOT NEWS: it is 09 and 08 reports. One year's conditions have nothing to with any other year, even when overall snowfall was similar, and 09 is NOT EVEN SIMILAR to this year. Melt rates, for one, are all over the map from one year to the next, independent of snowfall. I talked to SEKI Wilderness Office yesterday, 7/5, and they are still recommending crampons and ice axe for Kaweah Gap. Mehrten Creek is still treacherous.
I will be in touch with them and a couple other direct sources between now and Sunday. I go off the grid Friday Night, but I will post as late as I can.
For your Scouts' and parents' sake, get the best current beta you can before final route/equipment selection. DO not rely on this 09 report for anything.
BTW: SEKI has new, uniform fire restrictions this year: 2011 bulletin prohibits fire above 10,400 feet in Kern Drainage ( between Kaweah Gap and Trail Crest above 10,400) plus above 10,000 in 9 Lakes/Big Arroyo ( between Kaweah Gap and rim of BA beyond BA Junction).
