High Sierra Topix

Krudler,...I re-read and saw you're asking about N - S direction. That's opposite what we did, but from what the 5 guys in my story told me, it's easier going up that talus then they thought it would be going down....and since we went down, I'd have to agree w/them. Other than one spot that I can remember on the south side going up, for us, it's easy going down. But, for someone younger than us and 2 good legs, the one spot I'm thinking about would be a mere 30 second hitch in the getalong. My wife had to take off her pack and I pulled it up while she got better footing, but it was really nothing. I zipped right up, and it would be ok coming down too. Going up the North side, I'd say go right up the talus, it's stable, to the snow field that I'm sure may still be there, partially. It was there last year. It's only 30 - 40 yds worth and put you in the right spot to get to the top. The guys who had problems went way left of that thinking it would be easier but they said they'd goofed in that judgment.
Good luck.

krudler wrote: I'm also hoping to do the short part of the High Route from Laurel Lake to Izaak Walton Lake (Roper's "parkland") via I think it's "Bighorn" and then Shout-of-Relief passes, above Mott and Rosy Finch lakes. I know in your Silver Divide story from 2001 you had mentioned wanting to do that, I was curious if you had the chance yet.

Oh yeah. Nope, have not had a chance to do those HSR passes, though I would like to: maybe a great way to visit the McGee Pass area. From all I have talked to, not a particularly hard route and from those who have done the Roper Route, most mention Snow Tongue as being the worst pass. Few others were worth mention...

Wow Take-a-Hike, thanks for that - that's all great info and just what I was hoping to hear! Sounds like it should be no real problem and a good one to try for my first real x-c pass. Anything to cut out the extra hiking!

And, I concur - thanks for all the info and pics Doyle!

That is my favorite destination-the Graveyard Area. Tons of exploring to be done. Last July I traversed the basin ridge, starting up the ridge from the Lower Lake and going up to Graveyard Peak and then continuing east. I tell you, the summit view from the peak to the NE of the big Upper Lake is nothing short of fabulous. You feel like you could just reach out and touch the backsides of Mt. Tom and Basin Mtn. from there.

Did the same route about 10 years ago. Also climbed Graveyard Peak. There is an old register up there with entries from the 30's. Anne Lake was beautiful place to layover.

Vic

I was up on Graveyard 5 years ago and didn't see a register. Didn't look for it when I was up there last year.

krudler wrote:Hi Doyle -

I'd be very interested to hear your opinion on the "Graveyard Lakes Pass" (aka "Silver Fox Pass") from Graveyard Lakes to the Anne Lake/Peter Pande Lake area. I'm planning a trip to this area in late August and am very interested in using that shortcut. I've done x-c travel before but nothing quite like a "class 2" Sierra pass yet and I'm hoping it will be possible. I'd be going from Anne/Peter over to Graveyard (north->south direction).

Take-a-hike's description is a good one. It's easy on the south side, steep but stable talus on the north.

I'm also hoping to do the short part of the High Route from Laurel Lake to Izaak Walton Lake (Roper's "parkland") via I think it's "Bighorn" and then Shout-of-Relief passes, above Mott and Rosy Finch lakes....I'd like to be able to pull that one off to as I really really really want to see Hortense Lake and that would the perfect route as I am going from Devil's Postpile to VVR (via PeterPande/Graveyard) and back on the 2-week trip in August. If the x-c passes are sketchy it's going to add some significant mileage to my trip if I intend to get to all these destinations.

Thanks for any input!!!

I've done Shout-of-Relief and Rohn (the next pass west, due north of Bighorn Lake) passes; both are steep talus on the north side. Seems to be a theme. Hortense is well worth a visit--just a gorgeous lake. The route from Fish Creek headwaters to Hortense is a great one, with some interesting routefinding challenges (but pretty easy if you can find the right route).