High Sierra Topix

TITLE: Lamarck Col


GENERAL OVERVIEW: It gives access between Lamarck Lakes (Inyo NF) and Darwin Canyon (Kings Canyon NP)


CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2


LOCATION: HST Map


ELEVATION: 12,960 ft


USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mount Darwin


ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Leave the Lamarck Lakes Trail between the two lakes (UTM 542196) approximately where the trail crosses the stream. Descend the use trail southwest thru a clearing and small pond climbing the steep slope above, continue southwest thru a sandy valley to the small lake (pond) situated below the Lamarck ridgeline and at the base of the seasonal glacier/snowfield. There are different locations indicated online for where Lamarck Col proper is located, it's location is at: 37.1904900, -118.6673300
Once at the top start you descent keeping north of the lakes, try to slowly descend toward Lake #4, as you get closer you will encounter numerous use trails, pick one and descend in Darwin Canyon skirting the lakes on their northern side. Make sure to turn around and memorize the location of Lamarck Col, if you carry a camera turn around and take several shots so you will ascend towards the correct location on you way back.


PHOTOS:

Here's an album with photos taken on the day I crossed Lamarck last year in mid August, starting at Upper Lamarck Lake and finishing between Darwin Bench and the JMT. Snow conditions were for a relatively wet winter, so water and snow was present on the top. They aren't in any particular order, but each should be properly titled. There aren't any shots of the descent down to Darwin Lakes, as that mostly is a sandy slope, except for one class 2 bump with some hand moves just before the bottom. On the east side, it is near impossible to lose the trail, while on the way down through Darwin Canyon it is quite easy to lose the route. In fact, once you start climbing over those large boulders along the lake, there really is no telling where to go. It was absolutely frustrating when I had to down climb from a dead end to find a better route. The time I spent along the lakes was about equal to the time it tool to get from Upper Lamarck to the top of the pass.



https://www.flickr.com/photos/speedcent ... 1840610993

I split off the last two posts into a new post in the BACKPACKING/HIKING/CAMMPING forum titled Lamarck Col. "Cross Country Passes" entries are for general information on cross country passes only. Current condition requests should be started in a new post to the appropriate forum.

Contributing this photo for Lamarck Col 1st timers approaching from the south, as I was.