Hammersley Fork Backpacking - Best Time of Year?

[dbargaehre]

Looking to take a trip into Hammersley Wild Area sometime this spring/early summer.

Been doing my research and planning the route on CalTopo, but wanted to get input from locals. I know this is a freestone and that water levels can vary pretty greatly. If I'm going to try to fish spots like the Bell Branch, Nelson Branch, Cow Run, and Upper Hammersley Fork (along the Susquehannock Trail System), is the 3rd week of June too late for decent water levels (assuming a "normal" water year)?

Being a born-and-raised west coaster with access to so much public land in the High Sierra, I find I have to get pretty deep into a trail to avoid seeing other folks. I don't want to stick around the trailhead.

The potential routes: https://caltopo.com/m/J1F647P

 

[Swattie87]

That area has become more popular as of late. Covid outdoor push maybe? But anyway, 10 years ago you could pretty much count on having the place to yourself, as long as you hiked up past the Nelson Branch confluence. Not so much anymore. I’ve had company on every trip in there as of late, except one dead of Winter outing with a good bit of snow on the ground.

On the average year, yeah, I’d agree June is probably the best balance of ideal stream temps (those northern tier streams take well into May to warm up and turn on), and flows. But, things can still vary wildly flows wise. IMO you’re best to keep your plans loose and try to head up after a good rain gets the streams full for a few days.

From a practical perspective, only HF main stem, and Nelson and Bell Branch are big enough to fish. Everything else is tiny, and unless Kettle is at flood stage won’t have enough water to fish. Many of them go dry some Summers.

Edit: Lots of rattlesnakes in there. Not stinkbait, and not trying to discourage anyone from going there, but be prepared. I see at least one more often than not when in there during the warm months. Wear your gaiters.

 

[dbargaehre]

That area has become more popular as of late. Covid outdoor push maybe? But anyway, 10 years ago you could pretty much count on having the place to yourself, as long as you hiked up past the Nelson Branch confluence. Not so much anymore. I’ve had company on every trip in there as of late, except one dead of Winter outing with a good bit of snow on the ground.

On the average year, yeah, I’d agree June is probably the best balance of ideal stream temps (those northern tier streams take well into May to warm up and turn on), and flows. But, things can still vary wildly flows wise. IMO you’re best to keep your plans loose and try to head up after a good rain gets the streams full for a few days.

From a practical perspective, only HF main stem, and Nelson and Bell Branch are big enough to fish. Everything else is tiny, and unless Kettle is at flood stage won’t have enough water to fish. Many of them go dry some Summers.

Edit: Lots of rattlesnakes in there. Not stinkbait, and not trying to discourage anyone from going there, but be prepared. I see at least one more often than not when in there during the warm months. Wear your gaiters.

that's a bummer about the extra pressure there. i got spoiled backpacking the high sierra for many years, where you can quickly get completely alone.

I've been looking around at some of the other state forests as well but finding trails/areas longer than 5-6 miles that are away from roads has been a challenge.

in the sierra i always defined the backcountry, arbitrarily, at around 5 miles in…basically it would discourage 99% of people from dayhiking it. as long as you stayed out of popular trailheads and trails and away from the PCT you could be the only human you see for a week at a time.