Reply To: South Fork to Dry Lake report- 4/20-4/21

[dlh]

Update on South Fork trail (May 18, 2019 hike).  The trail to Dry Lake is snow free except for a few drifts near the lake that are easy to hike around.  Beyond Dry Lake the trail soon becomes completely snow covered and hard to follow.  It is possible to hike up to Trail Flats on dry ground by just heading up the hill and navigating around the snow drifts.  You will meet up with the trail from time to time.  At Trail Flats you will find several feet of compacted snow.  You can advance along the gentle slopes for awhile in microspikes and hike on some of the snow piles from the avalanches from the Valentine’s Day storm.Crampons and ice axe are suggested for any attempt on the north face via the winter route.  Photo of the view of San Gorgonio and Jepson from the hill on the north side of Dry Lake. Below, trail flats and the north face of San Gorgonio.