Cache Meadow Trail to Grouse Point Trail

On Thursday I planned to hike the Cache Meadow Trail (TR 702) to the Grouse Point Trail (TR 517) and head up to the area above Rock Lakes Basin. The trail was under a couple of inches of water just after leaving the trailhead on Road 140, but I could tell where the trail, actually more like a small stream, was.

I'd never been there before so I didn't know exactly where the junction of TR 702 and the short spur that leads to Bob's Buck Camp and Trail "X" was. Due to the water all around me I missed the junction by the pond and ended up at Bob's Buck Camp, so I decided to take Trail "X" up to Cripple Creek Lake and cross over the stream coming out of Cache Meadow to pick up the trail.

There were patches of snow but the trail could be picked up easily until after Cripple Creek Lake when the snow patches became larger. After crossing the stream I used my GPS to locate TR 517, as shown on the map, but there was a foot or so of snow covering the ground and the trail was not visible. This was at 4300 ft. elevation. I turned back, crossed the stream and headed back to Cripple Creek Lake to spend the night.

On my way out Friday morning I found a pile of scat on the trail. This was about halfway between Cripple Creek Lake and the stream that crosses Trail "X" .  Appeared to be bear, but I'm no expert.

Any idea when the snow may be out of the area? I don't mind large patches but I hate post-holing and not knowing where the trail is!

Gary