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profdant139's avatar
profdant139
Explorer II
May 18, 2019

Snow: how deep is too deep for camping?

I'm sitting here in suburban Southern California, going stir crazy and looking at the snow depth monitors throughout the Sierras. They are slowly dropping -- yesterday we had a foot or more of snow in the higher elevations. Most of my favorite places still have several feet of wet snow. It will be mid-June before the snow is completely gone from the forest roads -- and there will be snow on the mountainsides all summer. How long do I have to wait?

So here is my question -- assuming that the forest roads are technically open, how deep is too deep? I have driven on and camped in six inches of snow. But the clearance under the axles of my truck and my trailer is about ten inches, I think. I'm guessing that ten inches is my practical limit. And there will be the occasional drift. I am willing to do some shovel work, but not an infinite amount of it.

I am sure someone with a monster truck and a truck camper could bulldoze their way into a foot or more of snow, but this is just a Tacoma -- more like a burro than a bull. ;)

Your thoughts are always welcomed -- at least it will help pass the time while we watch the snow melt.
  • gafidler, can I get you to reconsider? Even a few inches can be downright picturesque:


    Click For Full-Size Image.

    By the way, can you spot the camping misteak in that shot? Yep -- roll up the awning as soon as it starts to snow! I had a heck of a time clearing the icy residue off of the top of the awning.
  • I am heading to Bishop, CA for the 50th Anniversary of Mule Days this week. 5/24. The weather prediction is for rain and snow in the upper elevations like Conway Summit at 8,400 feet and Mammoth. Towing a trailer just means we can't go very fast. The snow plows will be out.
  • Obviously, vehicle/ camper axle/frame height are limiting factors. If the snow is not “hardpacked” and you’ve got a good set of chains you can “push-through” snow that is contacting the axles and undercarriage! Most RV’ers don’t have a good set of chains for those conditions. Getting stuck in spring snow, is far better than getting stuck in fall snow.......you don’t have to wait near as long for the melt! ;)
  • We like to snowshoe in the winter, but if the CG access roads aren't plowed until spring...... we pick a plowed road spot.
  • I guess I just have to be really, really patient: the LA Times reports today that the top of Mammoth Mountain (in the Eastern Sierra) has gotten 60 feet of snow (715 inches) so far this season and will stay open for skiing until sometime in August!
  • profdant139 wrote:
    I guess I just have to be really, really patient: the LA Times reports today that the top of Mammoth Mountain (in the Eastern Sierra) has gotten 60 feet of snow (715 inches) so far this season and will stay open for skiing until sometime in August!


    Probably be getting fresh snow by then! :)

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