Garnet Pass
Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 2:59 pm
General Overview: Garnet Pass lies within the Ansel Adams Wilderness and provides easy access between Garnet Lake and Thousand Island Lake from their Western shores.
Class/Difficulty: Garnet Pass is a class 1/2 pass. I say class 2 simply because the 1 time that I went over it you had to boulder hop a bit and there wasn't much of a trail but I was not looking for 1 either, I was just trying to get through the area quickly and to my destination. Maybe there is a trail up and over and thus making it officially class 1.
Location: Garnet Pass lies within the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest. Garnet Pass is about .9 miles NE of Banner Peak as the crow flies.
HST Map
Elevation: Garnet Pass lies at 10,138'
Route Description: This description starts from Garnet Lake, if you are at Thousand Island (TI) Lake then just reverse the route. From Garnet Lake head towards the NW shore. Follow the inlet West and through the meadow towards Banner Peak which will be right in front of you. While following the creek start looking to your right up the hill and you should see your destination which is the low point in the ridge line. Head up the hill into the rocks in a NW ish direction until you find a route that is easy for you which shouldn't be difficult. You'll know you've reached the pass when TI comes into view. From there you head down towards TI and there are various ways to do so depending on where you're heading...NW if heading towards N Glacier Pass or NE if heading down to TI.
Photos:
Class/Difficulty: Garnet Pass is a class 1/2 pass. I say class 2 simply because the 1 time that I went over it you had to boulder hop a bit and there wasn't much of a trail but I was not looking for 1 either, I was just trying to get through the area quickly and to my destination. Maybe there is a trail up and over and thus making it officially class 1.
Location: Garnet Pass lies within the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest. Garnet Pass is about .9 miles NE of Banner Peak as the crow flies.
HST Map
Elevation: Garnet Pass lies at 10,138'
Route Description: This description starts from Garnet Lake, if you are at Thousand Island (TI) Lake then just reverse the route. From Garnet Lake head towards the NW shore. Follow the inlet West and through the meadow towards Banner Peak which will be right in front of you. While following the creek start looking to your right up the hill and you should see your destination which is the low point in the ridge line. Head up the hill into the rocks in a NW ish direction until you find a route that is easy for you which shouldn't be difficult. You'll know you've reached the pass when TI comes into view. From there you head down towards TI and there are various ways to do so depending on where you're heading...NW if heading towards N Glacier Pass or NE if heading down to TI.
Photos: