High Sierra Topix

TITLE: Alpine Pass

I disagree that this is even a pass but it's listed in books as such and I have crossed it so here you go.

GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass connects the head of Alpine Creek into Tunemah Lake

CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2

LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park on the South end of Tunemah Lake. HST Map

ELEVATION: 11,180

USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Goddard

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From Alpine Creek most any route can be taken up. I aimed for some slabs of rock to avoid more talus hoping for as long as I could. Once near and on the top you will have to talus hop continuously around the SE side of Tunemah Lake.

It becomes a pass if you drop to the lakes to the east and on to Goddard Creek; this would be a pass between upper Alpine Creek and Goddard. But who does that? I have explored going down about a third of the way and it is not easy, but it does go. So, yes it is not much of a pass if it ends at Tunemah Lake.

Jonathan Bourne made the traverse into Goddard Creek from Tunemah Lake. Except for the notion of going where so few have I can't see any reason to do this.

I did this in 1977 (Tunemah Lk. to Goddard Ck.). Going down to Goddard Ck was the easy part, thrashing thru the buckthorn past periodic rattlesnakes for 4 miles down to Simpson Mdw was hellish. Worst. Day. Hiking. Ever. Reaching Simpson Mdw alive was like the promised land.

Great shots from '77!

Looks like my old photos from the 70's! Time degrades film color. I have had some luck at adjusting the color in Photoshop.

There are a multitude of routes to get between drainages. I would think if you call something a "pass" it should provide a path of least resistance. Not sure Alpine Pass in this definition would qualify for more than a non-pass to get to Tunemah Lake.