TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

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cloudlesssky
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TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by cloudlesssky »

Suitably inspired by Kathy W's TR from last weekend, Jim Means, John Shillings and I decided to dayhike up Taboose Pass trail . We arrived at the trail head around 0830.
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It's a relentless climb from a pretty dusty trail head, but you quickly enter the canyon and some spectacular scenery.
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The trail became hit or miss in the snow around 9500 ft. Nearing the top there was mostly snow but some bare patches. To the south side of the pass there was a pretty spectacular cornice.
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Near the top we came upon a pair of grouse. One was snow white and the other had some spots. I'm guessing their plumage changes in the summer as I've seen these same birds in grey spots during the typical hiking season. These birds were fearless and hardly moved as we walked by within 5-10 feet.
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At the summit you could see west to Bench Lake and Arrow Peak. I think it will be a while before I head down there to spend the night.
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On the way back down John convinced me to "ski" down the snow shoots. It was plenty of fun and I only made a few butt prints. It was also a quick way to lose 1500 ft.
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The view out to Owens Valley reminded me how lucky we were to be doing this hike in April vs August. It looked hot and dry down there even at this time of the year.
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We encountered lots of deer tracks all day long. I also saw what I believe to be mountain lion prints a couple times (I took pictures but they aren't very sharp). The only deer we actually saw though were near the trail head.
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All in all it was a nice day and a fun hike. We made it back to the trail head by about 1730 and then stopped for a burger at the Mt Whitney cafe. Maybe it was the miles and vertical but it was a really good burger. Oh, and the onion rings were pretty special too.
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oleander
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by oleander »

Nice.

If those eastside trailheads were just a hop-skip from where I live, I would be so glad to have that as a weekend hike!

- Elizabeth
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maverick
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by maverick »

Very nice! Thanks for the pictures and info. Keep hinting to my wife that we should
move up to Bishop, but she keeps saying "it ain't gonna happen". :(
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by schmalz »

I've love to move to Bishop but are there any jobs?

This is a recurring problem I'm facing right now as I try to move closer to the mountains.
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Troutdog 59
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by Troutdog 59 »

Nice report Cloudless. Amazing how little snow there is for April.
maverick wrote:Very nice! Thanks for the pictures and info. Keep hinting to my wife that we should
move up to Bishop, but she keeps saying "it ain't gonna happen". :(
:D :D :D Ive had the same conversation with my wife. Kinda funny, but mine had the exact same response :lol: :lol: :lol:
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DAVELA
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by DAVELA »

any more pics?

nice tr

gracias
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jimmeans
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by jimmeans »

A few more pics:
IMG_0223.jpg
P1020090.jpg
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Ballpeen
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by Ballpeen »

Thanks for the trip report. Its great to get such current info! How was the road to the trailhead? Would a civic make it?
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maverick
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by maverick »

Hi Ballpeen,

Welcome to HST!
It is bumpy, you need to take your time, but yes you can make it to the trailhead, my
Civic made it, and I am no off-road expert. :)
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I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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Ballpeen
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Re: TR Taboose Pass Trail 4/21/13

Post by Ballpeen »

Thank you maverick.

This is a truly great site you all have here, by the way! I've been lurking about all winter, getting inspired.
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