Harrison Pass - Conditions and Which Direction is Best?

If you've been searching for the best source of information and stimulating discussion related to Spring/Summer/Fall backpacking, hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada...look no further!
Post Reply
User avatar
Worn Leather
Topix Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun May 21, 2006 1:24 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Seoul, Korea

Harrison Pass - Conditions and Which Direction is Best?

Post by Worn Leather »

Planning a loop trip for the 1st wk of Oct, from Onion Valley over Forrester Pass, over to Lk S. America, Harrison Pass, Lake Reflection, then back over Kearsarge Pass and home at last. Or, we could go in the other direction. I'm familiar with the Upper Kern/Tyndall Creek area, but Harrison Pass is somewhat of a mystery. How tough is it, for regular hikers, and which direction would be the best choice? In general, it's usually safer heading uphill on a steep incline, but then of course there's the pack! Perhaps someone has some experience to offer. Thanks.
User avatar
cgundersen
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1338
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 1:07 pm
Experience: N/A

Post by cgundersen »

Hi Worn Leather,
If you're coming from Korea, Harrison will be no problem.... there are some good Harrison commentaries on page 2 of this forum (about midway down). Briefly, the scramble up (north to south) is the preferable route. However, going down is likely only to be a real problem if there is ice. Either way, the little basin flanked by Stanford, Deerhorn, Ericsson (& its crags) is a marvel and well worth the effort of getting there! Hope it works out!
CG
User avatar
stevet
Topix Regular
Posts: 210
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 8:46 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Contact:

Post by stevet »

In my opinion, Harrison is easier coming from the south. Also suggest a variant on Forester Pass...once out of Vidette Meadow go up to Center Basin, over Junction Pass and down to the jct with the trail over Shepherd Pass and then to L. S. America before you head over Harrison. If you have the time you'll find fewer people than along the JMT.

Steve
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 117 guests