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Re: Cox Col and Gabbot Pass Loop
Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2013 2:35 pm
by maverick
Hi Bmorrow,
Welcome to HST! Thank you for the update! Hopefully you will delight us with a TR
of your trip there.
Re: Cox Col and Gabbot Pass Loop
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:51 pm
by macpaulster
Hi,
Literally just got back from this trip in reverse. We hiked over Mono Pass, starting in early afternoon. Spent the night at Golden Lake, then headed toward Pioneer Basin. Dropped some gear at the trail junction and explored Pioneer Basin by making a loop with light packs. Totally worth it! Then picked up the gear, and proceeded to Second Recess and camped part way up the trail. Next day was Gabbot Pass, a beast of 4,000' climb from that direction (it's easy from the South (Italy Lake). Our route finding wasn't perfect and we ended up hacking through some Willows on the way, but once things cleared out at Lower Mills Lake, it was a cake walk. Spent a layover day in Italy Lake Basin before heading up to "Cox Col." Secor's book says the easy route is SOUTH of the low notch. We took that route, and trust me, it isn't Class 2. Probably due to the dry year and lots of traffic, it was very loose and extremely tricky to navigate in the down climb direction. I wouldn't do it again. Wish I knew about North Col. Secor's book also says that Cox Col is the only reasonable crossing so we took that literally.
But... it was a splendid trip. We spent the night after Cox Col at the lower of Treasure Lakes with a spectacular view to the North down the Little Lakes Valley. Much quieter than Gem Lakes.
If you have any other questions about current conditions, let me know. Have fun!