Feather Pass
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:09 pm
FEATHER PASS
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Merriam Lake and Bear Lakes Basin.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest. HST Map
ELEVATION:12,320
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Hilgard
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From Merriam Lake, follow the use trail to the right of the waterfall up to the unnamed lake below Lake LaSalle. It’s easy walking along the shoreline to the short climb to LaSalle. Climb up the ledges to the right of the LaSalle outlet creek to LaSalle. Go around the right side of La Salle — conditions at the time will determine whether it is better to follow the shoreline or the rocks above due to snow on the shoreline. At the far end of La Salle look for a chute ascending to the right of the headwall. Follow the use trail up the chute. At the top of the chute, ascend to the pass. Your exact route will depend on the time of year, but there are no difficult sections as you ascend up the final ledges to the pass. On the north side, follow the use trail down. A couple of the ledges are a long step down, but involve nothing technical.
Lake LaSalle chute
Final climb to Feather Pass from above LaSalle chute:
View southwest from Feather Pass:
View west from Feather Pass:
Looking up at Feather Pass from west side:
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects Merriam Lake and Bear Lakes Basin.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest. HST Map
ELEVATION:12,320
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Hilgard
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From Merriam Lake, follow the use trail to the right of the waterfall up to the unnamed lake below Lake LaSalle. It’s easy walking along the shoreline to the short climb to LaSalle. Climb up the ledges to the right of the LaSalle outlet creek to LaSalle. Go around the right side of La Salle — conditions at the time will determine whether it is better to follow the shoreline or the rocks above due to snow on the shoreline. At the far end of La Salle look for a chute ascending to the right of the headwall. Follow the use trail up the chute. At the top of the chute, ascend to the pass. Your exact route will depend on the time of year, but there are no difficult sections as you ascend up the final ledges to the pass. On the north side, follow the use trail down. A couple of the ledges are a long step down, but involve nothing technical.
Lake LaSalle chute
Final climb to Feather Pass from above LaSalle chute:
View southwest from Feather Pass:
View west from Feather Pass:
Looking up at Feather Pass from west side: