Granite-Bear Pass

[cgundersen]

TITLE: Granite Bear Pass

GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Granite Park and Bear Lakes Basin

CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2

LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness HST Map

ELEVATION: 12,300

USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Hilgard; HST Map: HST Map

DESCRIPTION and PHOTOS: This is a connector route between Granite Park and Bear Lakes Basin (typical entry point: Pine Creek). It's an alternative route to the use of Italy Pass and Dancing Bear. The approach from the East is very straightforward. At about the point the trail on the 7.5 minute topo map disappears, the pass will look like this:

granite bear 1.jpg

granite bear 2.jpg

granite bear 3.jpg

We have ascended the right side of the chute (even in autumn there tends to be remnant snow), and although it can be fairly steep and a bit loose in sections, it's pretty reliable. The west side is a snooze to get down to Black Bear Lake: lots of very gentle gravel and nothing to make you regret having chosen this path. The photos should tell most of what you need to know. When 7 Gables Peak peeks out from the end of Black Bear, it's a real treat!

granite bear 4.jpg

granite bear 6.jpg

CG

[SSSdave]

The noted steep snowfield on the north side of the pass can span the full width of the ravine that has cliffy walls for much of the summer after heavier winters. There is usually first a deep narrow melt back from the warmer side walls that can allow squeezing through passage.