Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Crossing Cottonwood Pass in mid May

I'm trying to do a trip into The Golden Trout Wilderness on the weekend of the 16th of May. I am concerned about crossing the high elevation of Cottonwood Pass this early in the season. Would I need to use crampons or any other special gear or does the snowpack typically melt down enough by mid May?

Went through there May 25 last year. I don't know if it was a typical year, but there was very little snow. Pics are at:

SmugMug

Photos from the pass itself are around IMG_2257.

Hope this helps.

Dan

Last year was NOT typical.

This is a picture of Mid June 2006 approaching the pass. 2006 was the biggest snow year but spring came early and the melt was rapid.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1377725233033719756irTsPC

If it were me, I'd be traveling with an axe and crampons.