Solomans Pass (Nietzsche Col)
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 11:01 am
TITLE: Solomans Pass.
GENERAL OVERVIEW: As an alternate to either Wanda Pass or Black Giant Pass as a means to linking the Ionian Basin with the Muir Pass area, Solomans Pass provides a class 2 route.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park
ELEVATION: 12460ft.
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Goddard - HST Map
Looking south from the top of the pass towards Lake 11592... simple class 2 with talus hopping in the upper 200 or so feet. It is an 800 foot elevation change between the pass and Lake 11592.
Looking north from the top of the pass, the upper section is often choked with steep snow and if it is, wait for it to become soft in the afternoon sun for easy steps. One year, I descended from the top towards muir pass in a very low snow year. There are some steep chutes that you can go down that will fill up your boots with sand/rock but it is all still class 2 going. The upper 400 feet are around a 30-35 degree slope. Stay away from the moraine (marked with X's in the picture) because these rocks are unstable.
A view of the north side of the pass from near Muir Pass. The moraine is marked with an X.
GENERAL OVERVIEW: As an alternate to either Wanda Pass or Black Giant Pass as a means to linking the Ionian Basin with the Muir Pass area, Solomans Pass provides a class 2 route.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park
ELEVATION: 12460ft.
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt Goddard - HST Map
Looking south from the top of the pass towards Lake 11592... simple class 2 with talus hopping in the upper 200 or so feet. It is an 800 foot elevation change between the pass and Lake 11592.
Looking north from the top of the pass, the upper section is often choked with steep snow and if it is, wait for it to become soft in the afternoon sun for easy steps. One year, I descended from the top towards muir pass in a very low snow year. There are some steep chutes that you can go down that will fill up your boots with sand/rock but it is all still class 2 going. The upper 400 feet are around a 30-35 degree slope. Stay away from the moraine (marked with X's in the picture) because these rocks are unstable.
A view of the north side of the pass from near Muir Pass. The moraine is marked with an X.
