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JMT 2024

 

Hi All,

I had originally planned to return to the JMT this year but didn't because of the late snow and the San Joaquin river bridge being out. Is there any information if it might be repaired for 2024 or the same bypass route will remain be in place.

Apologies, if this has probably already been discussed on a thread, and as always, many thanks for all the help and advice from this group.

Geraldine.

?
 

I spoke with a ranger at the Bishop ranger station a few weeks ago and she said the plan was to replace the bridge in 2025. Not sure how solid that plan is but that's what she said.
 

Thanks Paul.
 

Similar to Ger I postponed a 5th NOBO JMT because of the timing and record snow. ?I have a related question. ?I seem to recall seeing reports that very late in the season one could safely cross the San Joaquin river within a few miles of the bridge. ?Does anyone have knowledge/opinion on that. ?Or put another way, assuming more average snow year and an August timeline, do you think the long detour will be required or will a river crossing be doable?
 

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I was SOBO this year and took the alternate on September 10. There was still some question about the river level at the time, but there were many reports from NOBO hikers that they forded the river. Most SOBOs I talked to did the ford at that time with no problems. Water levels were reported at knee to hip level.

If we don't have another big snow year it might be reasonable to plan a late August - September ford.

Frank


On 10/28/2023 5:58 AM, David Beebe via groups.io wrote:

Similar to Ger I postponed a 5th NOBO JMT because of the timing and record snow. ?I have a related question. ?I seem to recall seeing reports that very late in the season one could safely cross the San Joaquin river within a few miles of the bridge. ?Does anyone have knowledge/opinion on that. ?Or put another way, assuming more average snow year and an August timeline, do you think the long detour will be required or will a river crossing be doable?

--
Frank
 

If it were me, I would figure that this year put a 1 month delay from "normal" on everything.? That's only a rough guess, because there were some places that NEVER melted out, such as the east side trail on Whitney, and Precipice Lake on the High Sierra Trail.? So once we know what this season looks like, make an adjustment.? If it's a high snow year but not like this one, then maybe a 2 week delay from normal.? They you just need to know when the crossing was doable THIS year, and do the math.

But another data point is the crossing of the Kings River in Tehipite Valley (Theodore Solomons Trail) that generally isn't crossable until August. I'm sure it would have been fatal this year at any time. I think the San Joaquin crossing is only slightly less dangerous than that one.
 

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I hiked NOBO this summer. ?I forded the river alone on 9/7. ?I’m 5’-5”. ?I crossed just below the workers camp and it was hip high for me but doable with good technique. ?Once across I sat in the sun to warm up a bit and a few more people crossed just below where I did. ?It was only knee deep for them! ?Live and learn I guess. ?


On Oct 28, 2023, at 10:30 AM, RobBrandt via groups.io <robbrandt@...> wrote:

?If it were me, I would figure that this year put a 1 month delay from "normal" on everything.? That's only a rough guess, because there were some places that NEVER melted out, such as the east side trail on Whitney, and Precipice Lake on the High Sierra Trail.? So once we know what this season looks like, make an adjustment.? If it's a high snow year but not like this one, then maybe a 2 week delay from normal.? They you just need to know when the crossing was doable THIS year, and do the math.

But another data point is the crossing of the Kings River in Tehipite Valley (Theodore Solomons Trail) that generally isn't crossable until August. I'm sure it would have been fatal this year at any time. I think the San Joaquin crossing is only slightly less dangerous than that one.

 

I crossed San Joaquin SOBO 9/15/2023 6 PM. Water was above the knee. I kept my boots on, faced upstream, used two hiking poles, and kept 3 points planted at all times.?

GPS coordinates:?37.203466, -118.802701

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/68745971@N06/53209918557/in/album-72177720311426402/
 

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Boy, the bridge has already been broken down into pieces. That was pretty fast.

Two Dogs
On 11/1/2023 01:40, Half Dot via groups.io wrote:

I crossed San Joaquin SOBO 9/15/2023 6 PM. Water was above the knee. I kept my boots on, faced upstream, used two hiking poles, and kept 3 points planted at all times.?

GPS coordinates:?37.203466, -118.802701

Photo:

 

Hey, Half Dot, that photo of the that Derek admired is a great one. Can I/we have permission to share that in other forums?

Thanks.
--
Richard
 

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Many of our hiker guests crossed the river above where the bridge was in August and September with no problem. Knee deep or less.?


On Oct 28, 2023, at 9:43 AM, Frank <frankdpct@...> wrote:

?

I was SOBO this year and took the alternate on September 10. There was still some question about the river level at the time, but there were many reports from NOBO hikers that they forded the river. Most SOBOs I talked to did the ford at that time with no problems. Water levels were reported at knee to hip level.

If we don't have another big snow year it might be reasonable to plan a late August - September ford.

Frank


On 10/28/2023 5:58 AM, David Beebe via groups.io wrote:
Similar to Ger I postponed a 5th NOBO JMT because of the timing and record snow. ?I have a related question. ?I seem to recall seeing reports that very late in the season one could safely cross the San Joaquin river within a few miles of the bridge. ?Does anyone have knowledge/opinion on that. ?Or put another way, assuming more average snow year and an August timeline, do you think the long detour will be required or will a river crossing be doable?

--
Frank

 

On Wed, Nov 1, 2023 at 04:48 PM, Richard wrote:
disassembled bridge?

Yes, OK to share photo in link.

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