Keyhole Pass
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2014 3:27 pm
TITLE: Keyhole Pass
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads between the Muriel Lake in Humphreys Basin and Darwin Bench
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2 with a short Class 3 section
LOCATION: SE of Muriel Peak. Bordering Kings Canyon National Park and the Mono Divide area. Sierra National Forest / John Muir Wilderness HST Map
ELEVATION: 12,526
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Darwin
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Head SSE from Muriel Lake up into the Lost Lakes area. Stay on the East side of the slope leaving the South end of Muriel lake. This takes you to the lower of the Lost Lakes. Walk around its East side and head up the slope to the upper lakes. There is a use trail through the scree part on the South side of the lower lake. Make your way through the flat small talus area around the upper lakes to the South end of Lake 11911. The talus is not bad At the North end of Lake 11911 enjoy the view of the pass and pick your line. The ridge has multiple notches. Best I could tell several will work, but the proper Keyhole Pass with an actual hole is the rightmost (Northern) notch. The Keyhole is literally a hole: Below it is the short Class 3 section. It requires a short traverse on a small ledge with moderate handholds over a 10 ft drop Once on the left side (looking down) the climb down is straightforward with decent handholds
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads between the Muriel Lake in Humphreys Basin and Darwin Bench
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2 with a short Class 3 section
LOCATION: SE of Muriel Peak. Bordering Kings Canyon National Park and the Mono Divide area. Sierra National Forest / John Muir Wilderness HST Map
ELEVATION: 12,526
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Darwin
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Head SSE from Muriel Lake up into the Lost Lakes area. Stay on the East side of the slope leaving the South end of Muriel lake. This takes you to the lower of the Lost Lakes. Walk around its East side and head up the slope to the upper lakes. There is a use trail through the scree part on the South side of the lower lake. Make your way through the flat small talus area around the upper lakes to the South end of Lake 11911. The talus is not bad At the North end of Lake 11911 enjoy the view of the pass and pick your line. The ridge has multiple notches. Best I could tell several will work, but the proper Keyhole Pass with an actual hole is the rightmost (Northern) notch. The Keyhole is literally a hole: Below it is the short Class 3 section. It requires a short traverse on a small ledge with moderate handholds over a 10 ft drop Once on the left side (looking down) the climb down is straightforward with decent handholds