Italy Pass to Pine Creek Pass loop conditions and advice?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:49 pm
Does anyone have any advice or information about condition of passes between Italy Pass and Pine Creek Pass? We are planning to make a 4 day loop a week from now.
In order to cross the basin with Bear Lakes and Vee Lake, we would have to cross 2 passes.
On the north side of the basin there seems to be a choice of 3 passes: Dancing Bear Pass, White Bear Pass, and Ursula Pass.
On the south side, there is a choice of Feather Pass, LaSalle Col, Ruskie Pass, and Merriam Pass. Stough Pass or Gemini Lake Pass would lead to the basin of Pinncales Creek, which seems to look nice on the map, but it would make a larger loop and I am not sure how is the descent to the Piute Canyon.
I got the pass information from http://sierrabackpacker.com/sierrapasses-new.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
We are comfortable with class 2 climbing. We don't use any snow equipment beyond trekking poles.
Primary concern would probably be snow on the north side of the passes. Another concern is whether any of the passes are hard or tricky. Any advice?
In order to cross the basin with Bear Lakes and Vee Lake, we would have to cross 2 passes.
On the north side of the basin there seems to be a choice of 3 passes: Dancing Bear Pass, White Bear Pass, and Ursula Pass.
On the south side, there is a choice of Feather Pass, LaSalle Col, Ruskie Pass, and Merriam Pass. Stough Pass or Gemini Lake Pass would lead to the basin of Pinncales Creek, which seems to look nice on the map, but it would make a larger loop and I am not sure how is the descent to the Piute Canyon.
I got the pass information from http://sierrabackpacker.com/sierrapasses-new.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
We are comfortable with class 2 climbing. We don't use any snow equipment beyond trekking poles.
Primary concern would probably be snow on the north side of the passes. Another concern is whether any of the passes are hard or tricky. Any advice?