Seeking some sunshine and views, we elected to take the Swift Creek trail / Worm Flows route (trail 244) to the 4,800 ft level where climbing permits are required. After a brief snack break we returned to the Pika Trail (#244 D) to June Lake and returned via the June Lake Trail (#216B) and the still-gated FR 83.
The trail was mostly snow-free for the first mile and then fully covered from there on. We had snowshoes with us but never used them since the trail was hard pack and frozen from the night before. Even as the day progressed and the snow softened we did not use snowshoes though we did wear microspikes on the return.
Be careful on the Pika Trail since the snow is melting very fast and the lava field makes for very precarious travel. We broke through a few time even when we walked slowly and carefully.
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