19 Apr 2025 - Conditions Report: Onion Valley Hike/Snowline Observation

As spring weather heats up here in the Eastern Sierra, the most common question we get here in the store is: what's the snow like up around [fill in the blank]? Early-season hikers/campers and late-season backcountry skiers are eager to get the latest info so they can plan their gear choices, food supply, and risk management decision appropriately.

Our staff member Tess went up to Onion Valley yesterday on her day off to check out the conditions so we could provide our customers the most accurate info possible.

Here's her brief report:

Conditions Report

Current As Of: 19 April 2025*

The Road: The road to Onion Valley Trailhead is open and easily passable, even for sedans—just watch for a few scattered rocks.

The Terrain: As of now, there’s no snow at the parking lot itself, but you’ll encounter snow almost immediately once you hit the trail. Snow depth and firmness varies significantly, so be prepared for changing conditions. Traction and flotation gear—like snowshoes, skis, or crampons—is highly recommended to have with you so you have appropriate options to navigate the terrain enjoyably and safely as needed. Whether you're headed up toward Kearsarge Pass, Golden Trout Lake, or just out for a quick tour/hike in the area, expect some snow travel and plan your gear accordingly.

If you're planning to exit the PCT via Kearsarge Pass for your resupply at mile 790, you won't have to hike extra past the trailhead.

As always, don't hesitate to call us at store (760-873-7520) if ever in need of adventure ideas or conditions information!

(And if you need any gear to prepare for your own Eastern Sierra adventure, we got you covered with free shipping! All you have to do is join our email list and place your order with us online.)

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View of the snow coverage from the Onion Valley Trailhead parking lot looking up the Golden Trout Lakes trail

View from the Onion Valley Trailhead parking looking south/southeast up around Independence Creek & Robinson Lake

View of the Golden Trout Lake trail as it heads up to Kearsarge Peak, Mt Gould, and Dragon Peak

 

 

View of Kearsarge Pass from the upper slopes of Independence Peak

*All trip/conditions reports are subject to change, increasingly so with each passing day since the observation(s) were made. They are provided as a tool to assist your adventuring, not to replace your own risk management and decision-making. No information in any trip or conditions report published by Eastside Sports should be considered definitive in its information or directive in its recommendation.