Trip Report
Sierra Ski Touring: Kuna Connection into Yosemite
Friday April 8, 2016 4:52pm
Over 5 fun days, we skied a fun route from June Lake to Tioga Pass via the Kuna Connection. Usually this trip is done from Mammoth Mountain, but due to coverage we decided to get faster access to the high country and deeper snowpack by coming in via June Mountain and San Joaquin Ridge. This allowed for lower mileage days and some really fun skiing along the way.

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Credit: Hoots
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We made camp below Summit Lake along the PCT, at Waugh Lake, the Headwaters of Kuna Creek below Lost Lakes Pass, and at Dana Meadows. Good coverage throughout, only having to take our skis off to walk once.

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Our trip began with 2 guides and 4 guests sharing logistics, with half of our group leaving at Waugh to return via June Lake loop. I continued on towards Tioga with my guests, excited to get a good look at conditions in the Yosemite High Country. Things are looking good.

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The crux, as always is the Kuna Connection, which crosses the Kuna Crest above Helen Lake. A large cornice is usually present, but we were able to get ourselves into the bowl without lingering under it. It is steep and firm for a bit, but then gave way to 1000' of great soft snow skiing.

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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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After getting past Tioga we were able to ski to Ellery where snowline currently is. Plowing is underway, but there are some pretty big drifts from Ellery on up. For us, it was a long walk out on the road to our waiting shuttle, and cold beers.

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Credit: Hoots
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Credit: Hoots
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Poor weather is on its way towards the Sierra putting a stop to a planned personal Trans-Sierra ski tour this week, but hopefully the weather cooperates later this month when I have a bit more time off scheduled for touring.

  Trip Report Views: 3,261
Hoots
About the Author
Ryan Huetter grew up near the coastal tidewaters of the Puget Sound in Washington State, but has since traded moss and rain for the sunshine and splitter cracks of the Sierra Nevada. Since graduating from Western Washington University in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Adventure Management, he has called the Sierra home. Working as a full time mountain guide while pursuing IFMGA certification, he is able to enjoy the unbelievable year round skiing and climbing the Sierra is known for.

Comments
NutAgain!

Trad climber
https://nutagain.org
  Apr 8, 2016 - 05:23pm PT
Cool stuff! I was checking out an itinerary very close to this within the last few weeks. Need to firm up plans for a trip a few weeks from now, will have from a Thursday through a Sunday to bite off as much adventure as we can.
10b4me

Social climber
Lida Junction
  Apr 8, 2016 - 06:05pm PT
Thanks for this. A nice report.
limpingcrab

Gym climber
Minkler, CA
  Apr 8, 2016 - 06:44pm PT
Beautiful!

pc

climber
  Apr 8, 2016 - 07:08pm PT
Thanks for sharing. Looks like great times.
Cheers,
pc
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
  Apr 8, 2016 - 07:32pm PT
Hard to beat spring touring in the Sierra Nevada . . . Thanks for the nice share.
Vitaliy M.

Mountain climber
San Francisco
  Apr 8, 2016 - 08:28pm PT
Great outing thanks for sharing!
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
  Apr 9, 2016 - 05:36pm PT
Sweet ride Hoots! Thanks for posting.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
  Apr 10, 2016 - 04:50am PT
Everyone needs to do a trip like that at least once in their life
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Apr 10, 2016 - 09:45am PT
Nice tour, thank you !
Radish

Trad climber
SeKi, California
  Apr 10, 2016 - 11:06am PT
Great dream trip! Good year for snow too....finally! Thanks for sharing.
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
  Apr 10, 2016 - 12:33pm PT
Looked like a corn fest, thanks for posting.
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
  Apr 15, 2016 - 08:27am PT
Bump. Even better to do a ski tour during a full moon cycle.
crankster

Trad climber
No. Tahoe
  Apr 15, 2016 - 09:02am PT
Great pics - and weather.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Apr 15, 2016 - 09:12am PT
Beautiful!! Almost makes me want to dig skis out!!
The Lisa

Trad climber
Da Bronx, NY
  Apr 15, 2016 - 12:20pm PT
What a fun tour! We got gypped here in the NE this winter, only toured a couple of days.
ryankelly

climber
Bhumi
  Apr 15, 2016 - 01:29pm PT
Nice one!
Adamame

climber
Santa Cruz
  Apr 18, 2016 - 12:43am PT
Such an awesome trip. That Kuna Bench is pretty mind blowing. Did the same trip in the opposite direction in January.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  May 10, 2016 - 12:28pm PT
Mungie like, MUNGIE LIKE!!!
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  May 10, 2016 - 12:39pm PT
WOW!

John
splitclimber

climber
Sonoma County
  May 19, 2016 - 04:17pm PT
KUNA!!!

TFPU Hoots.

The crest has so much fun terrain.

what are we looking at here? Lost lakes/Blacktop?

mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
  May 19, 2016 - 05:21pm PT
Thanks for that. The white stuff can keep on coming all spring, far as I'm concerned.

SLR, I agree totally that everyone should try a High Sierra winter trip at least once.
Ed H

Trad climber
Santa Rosa, CA
  May 19, 2016 - 08:40pm PT
Snow camping and ski touring! Yea! TFPU

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