21 Jan 25 - Conditions Report: Rock Creek Cross Country Skiing

The temperate winter weather continues to persist here in the Eastern Sierra, but don't worry, you can still do the full slate of winter activities in the area no matter your skill level!

Our illustrious co-owner, Matt, got out to Rock Creek this week to check out the conditions using our very own high-quality cross country ski package that we rent here at the store. See what he has to say below! 

Conditions Report:

Current As Of: 21 January 2025*

Activity During Report: Primary - cross country skiing.

Conditions: I chose to go to Rock Creek from Tom’s Place which is off 395 about 25 miles North of Bishop since no one on staff had been up there in the past week and I like to ensure the store always has the most updated conditions info for when people come into or call the store.

The road is clear down to pavement for the 6 miles up to the East Fork Public Parking just before the East Fork Campground (here's the Google Maps pin). From there on up the road, it is hard packed snow due to it undergoing a bunch of freeze/thaw cycles as you can see in the first photo. It is possible to hike the road on snow, but I thought skiing was much more fun, especially on the way back since it was downhill! I did see other ski tracks, snowshoe tracks, and signs of some microspike usage. 

The weather was great - 45 degrees and sunny as I arrived there at about noon. I found it so nice out that I did the entire session in my Ridge Merino Wool T-shirt. Snow conditions earlier in the morning could be more icy, but by midday the snow was a lot softer and there were still even occasional spots on the road where you could ski through fresh snow.  

The grade of the road is excellent for cross country skiing. It is uphill, but the gradient is gentle enough to make it enjoyably physical but not be strenuous. Though, it is important to note that this section of the road is at ~9000+ feet so if you are not used to altitude you may get winded.

I cruised up to Rock Creek Lake which is just over 3 miles away from the parking and had a quick lunch. The views were great, the solitude even better. It is looking like some snow may be coming this weekend, so already great conditions may be become even better for it with the nice base already there!

After my lunch, I turned around and glided leisurely downhill back to the car, only having to push with my poles every 50 feet or so.

It was a great day to be in the Eastern Sierra!

Recommendation(s): Start early...or don't, it will not really matter so choose what's best for your plans. The bigger decision is what your mode of travel will be. Any foot traction options will work well (skis, snowshoes, microspikes) and are recommended! The snow was only inches deep, but the potential iciness at points makes it inadvisable to not being using something to assist your traction.

Some of the gear that I used to have the perfect layers for the day:

• Patagonia R1® Pullover Hoody
• Ridge Merino Wool T-shirt
• Prana Stretch Zion Pants (in-store only)
• Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottom's 

Starting up the road from the parking area

 

Pics that give a good representation of the snow conditions along the road up to Rock Creek Lake

 

The gorgeous alpine views during lunch up at Rock Creek Lake before turning around!

*All 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.