High Sierra Topix

Is there a trail along the ridge from Elizabeth Pass to Colby Pass via Coppermine Pass and Triple Divide Pass? If not is it easily (class 1/2) passible?

As near as I can tell, if I want to stay in class 2 territory, I can go from Elizabeth Pass to Coppermine Pass down in to Cloud Canyon. Then hit the Colby Pass trail north of the Whaleback.

My question is, how do I get down into Cloud Canyon from Coppermine Pass? Do I hike the ridge to Lion Lake Pass then down or straight down from Coppermine Pass?

Thanks

My question is, how do I get down into Cloud Canyon from Coppermine Pass? Do I hike the ridge to Lion Lake Pass then down or straight down from Coppermine Pass?

The "Search" feature is you friend Punchcard.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8449#p61507

punchcard wrote:As near as I can tell, if I want to stay in class 2 territory, I can go from Elizabeth Pass to Coppermine Pass down in to Cloud Canyon. Then hit the Colby Pass trail north of the Whaleback.

My question is, how do I get down into Cloud Canyon from Coppermine Pass? Do I hike the ridge to Lion Lake Pass then down or straight down from Coppermine Pass?

Thanks

There is a relatively straightforward route from Coppermine Pass down into Cloud Canyon. The upper section from Coppermine Pass is a stroll through stable-ish scree, but toward the bottom I took a route down a steep talus "wall" to the final section where it finally levels out. From there it is all easy and there is even an old miners/use trail that leads down through the canyon and finally to a horse camp just before the junction with the Colby Pass trail. Beware, there is a section about 1/2 down Cloud Canyon where the trail disappears (at least it did for me:) and it's necessary to bushwhack and go right through the creek for a while, but the canyon is beautiful and worth the effort.

Map of my route:
A few photos, in order on the way down from Coppermine Pass and into Cloud Canyon:

From Coppermine Pass looking toward Triple Divide Pass:
On the hike down the easy scree section:
Pano looking down into Cloud Canyon on the way down:
Looking back up toward Coppermine Pass:
The horrible talus route (much better route slightly higher up):
The beginning of the easy stroll into the canyon, there's a use trail in there somewhere:

Thank you. That's exactly what I was looking for. The map is perfect.

Great! Have fun, and Peak 12,345 (aka Coppermine Peak) is worth the short side trip along the way.

I did the reverse of the route you are talking about in 1991. The route is totally cross country and if you are very careful and good at route finding, it is no more than class 2+. Triple Divide Pass is the most difficult section. It is NOT a route for those inexperienced with cross country travel. For some photos, visit: http://www.sierrahiker.com/TripleDivide ... index.html