HST to Nine Lake Basin to Lion Lake to Tamarack Lake

[Greengrassmonk]

HST to Nine Lake Basin to Lion Lake to Tamarack Lake

Does anyone have any experience in this area? Its seems like it would be a nice loop. Or in reverse.

[giantbrookie]

I've been to all of those destinations, but I haven't done the pass between Nine Lake Basin and Lion Lake. I recall several members on this board have crossed that pass, which appeared (from the north, the steeper side) to be the usual class 2 talus and scree slog. The route between Lion and Tamarack requires some route finding skills as it is not a direct one, but it follows logically from looking at the topo and choosing the route of easiest terrain. The line-of-sight is such that you can see the viable routes both going up or going down. Nonetheless, given that this part of the route and the pass between Lion and Nine Lakes are the toughest segments of the trip in terms of route finding, I'd recommend doing the loop in the direction of Tamarack-Lion-Nine Lakes because it is easier to pick cross country routes looking up rather than descending.

[cgundersen]

Hi Greengrassmonk,
My wife & I did that loop (counterclockwise) in early Spring 2001 and the snow above Lion lake probably both helped and hindered our passage. Regardless, it is very much a "doable" loop in either direction, though from my experience, it would probably be "easier" going clockwise, as the "sticky" parts above Lion lake are easier to pick out in that direction. Incidentally, if you do the loop, I'd be curious whether the (apparently wild) horse in the meadow above Tamarack is still running loose (see an earlier thread that I started).
CG