High Sierra Topix

From Grinnell to Hopkins, the obvious saddle to the south of Grinnell Col is the easiest route. I did this from west to east in July of 2012 without much trouble. We then proceeded to Pioneer Basin via Crocker Col, which isn't too bad as long as there isn't much snow.

Welcome to HST!

Steve,
Try using the "search" feature, there are TR's in which Crocker, and Grinnell Col
were used.

I have crossed from Grinnell to Hopkins. This was back when I had almost no cross country experience and I did not find it too difficult. I took the same saddle as noted here on that USGS map. I recall some steep annoying sand when getting closer to the top on the West side but other than that no problem.

The low saddle to the left is what you aim for.

See TR:Mono Pass, Pioneer Basin, Hopkins&Grinnell Lakes 6/7-6/10. The map linked there has couple of unofficial passes marked between Hopkins and Grinnell, we took one of them. Also we took Crocker Col between Pioneer and Hopkins.

Hi Mountainlight,
My wife and I missed Tomba by a day or two last year, and when I read his TR, it sounds to me that he took the route out of Hopkins Basin that looks easiest from the Hopkins side. Specifically, if you look at the first photo Rogue posted, Tomba's route would lead to his coming down to the right of the saddle to which Rogue referred. From having done that route in the early 90's, I can attest that it's easier getting up via that route, but a bit trickier going down on the Grinnell side. The route we took last year was exactly the one Rogue pointed out: just shoot for the saddle on the left. There were a couple spots where we had to bushwhack through vegetation (because the snow in the adjacent chute was too slippery), but basically there are no obstacles that you cannot find an easy way around. And, yes, the view back toward Grinnell is sensational from that ridge (as Rogue's photo indicates).
cg

I'm going to try to add a couple photos; one is to provide a bit of contrast with Rogue's lake shot which was taken a bit later in the season (obviously, still a bit of ice on the lake when we were there). The second photo shows what the descent into Hopkins looked like. As is evident, for someone coming up from Hopkins, it would be natural to aim for the lower notch on the ridgeline, a bit south of where we were.