Carol Col and Feather Pass question

[rlown]

k.. Does he need to bring the dog? I only ask because I know that adds to the trip if he has to look after it all the time.

[millertime]

Your probably right, it would be better to do something shorter like 4 days 3 nights 2 passes with the dog before jumping into 5 days 5 nights half of which is cross country with 4 passes.

[rlown]

so.. shorter.. you can do 4 days in Humpreys with dog and be happy.. You don't have to jump over the ridge.

There are nice goldens right there off the SW side of Deso. And the Brookies out of Tomahawk.

[SSSdave]

I looked at your route map and noticed what appears to be just a 4 night 5 day trip? Rather ambitious long mileage with considerable offtrail in talus. And dogs do not generally do well in talus because they are not monkeys. That route covers enough territory for three 5-day or longer separate backpack trips. Places worth stopping at to explore and enjoy instead of spending most daylight hours beating one's way down some route. Places where experts could easily spend a week plus in each exploring new exciting areas each day with several climbing possibilities for peak baggers. And all those basins have good fishing secrets off everyones public radar including boards like this if one bothers to explore instead of just rambling through quickly.

[paul]

I would suggest keeping your start at North Lake, and playing it by ear as you go. If you find yourselves cruising over Carol col in short order and flying into Granite park in good time, then go for it. But keep in mind that those first two days are the easy part, especially for the pooch, because of the talus on the way from Italy Pass to the Bear Lakes.

Personally, I'd rather spend more time exploring the lakes in Humphreys basin and at the head of French canyon and going to Royce Lakes (a very cool spot) and Merriam from French Canyon, than going over to the Bears via Dancing Bear. I think that would be just plain more fun than the route you have laid out. I'd come back by way of the confluence of French Canyon and Piute creek to make a nice loop. Or you could do it the other way, so the Carol Col crossing happens when your packs are lighter and you are more acclimatized.

[millertime]

I don't plan to do the original route at all anymore, seems pretty silly now. I do still plan to start at North Lake, and have been playing with the Humphrey's, French and Royce area. I would really like to make it to Royce, if I did I would probably spend two nights in Humphrey's, having camp close to Carol Col on the 2nd night and assuming we felt good descend it the morning of the 3rd day, making camp at French Lake or if we felt good blow by French and make it to Royce for the 3rd night. 4th day we would take French Canyon and Piute Creek back as far as we wanted, 5th day head back down Piute Pass. If we ended up staying at French we would make it back down Piute the 6th day. I think that plan leaves plenty of options open to still enjoy our time if we aren't feeling up to something at any point. Thoughts?

EDIT: That would probably be a better plan without the dog still, if we take the dog maybe just hang around Humphreys for a few nights, bagging Four Gables and maybe venture to the southern side of Piute Creek for a night or two. We would need to KNOW that the dog could handle that much time on the trail before taking it on a 5-6 day trek, even if days 2-4 are short mileage.

[maverick]

That sounds like a much more enjoyable trip were everyone can enjoy there
beautiful surroundings and let is soak in. Agree that your edit option is much
better for doggie if you decide to do that option, because if you wanted to
zoom by French Lake and go up to Royce the doggie may not be able to keep up.
If you stayed in Humphreys Basin and basecamped there is plenty to do and see.
Packsaddle Lake, Golden Trout Lakes, Wahoo Lakes, Goethe Lake, and all the
other lakes beneath the Glacier Divide are all worth visiting.
A fantastic peak to bag is Pilot Knob (class 2) that has a grand view, it sits right
at corner of Piute Canyon and French Canyon with outstanding views of the Glacier
Divide, The Pinnacles, Gemini, Merriam Peak, and many other peaks far beyond.

Edit: Checkout a recent post with pictures to Royce Lake, it will wet you appetite:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7998&p=58054#p58054" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lunarlab]

A few years ago, I did a 6-day loop with 1 other person and a golden retriever. We did Pine Creek>Granite Park>Italy Pass>Bear Creeks (day hike to Vee Lake)>Feather Pass>Merriam Lake>French Canyon>Pine Creek. Golden's are not the most agile dogs, but our dog did not have any problem up Feather Pass, except for 1 chest high ledge I had to lift her over.

[maverick]

Hi Lunarlab,

Welcome to HST! Thanks for your input hope to hear more about your trips in
the future.

[ManOfTooManySports]

A few years ago we did 1) North Lake to Mesa Lake, 2) over Puppet/Carol then to Royce Lakes, 3) to Granite Park, Italy Pass, Dancing Bear Pass to Ursa Lake, 4) over Feather Pass past Merriam Lake to Hutchinson Meadow, 5) out. I think that was the itinerary, anyway. It was very difficult because so much of the trip was on talus, and because my partner was not a strong boulder-hopper. The highlight was visiting the Royce Lakes. They were clearly rarely visited, but well worth the trip.