What are you planning for 2014?

[TehipiteTom]

That pass is Gimme Pass: HST Map very easy class 2, the lake south of the pass is a beautiful turquoise color. The Monarch Divide is well worth the visit, it is one of the least visited sections of the Sierra, especially the western end of it.

To be clear, Gimme Pass is the pass on SSSDave's map, not the pass on Shawn's map. I've done Gimme and yes, it's no problem. No idea about yours, though.

I've always wanted to get up to those higher Swamp Lakes as well. How much give is there in your schedule? If you have a margin built in, then it might be worth it to try and if it doesn't go, you backtrack and go around Dave's way. My guess is that there'll be something doable, even if it entails following the ridgeline or going over the top of Point 11087.

ETA: and I'll second maverick's comment: that whole area is spectacular and splendidly isolated. I led a trip up there in 2001, and we didn't see another soul for 7 days. Lake 9599 and West Kennedy Lake are particular favorites of mine.

ETA2: If you do end up doing the route on Dave's map, it's worth considering dropping down to Lake 9046 and then following the gentle slopes back up rather than traversing all the way. Yes, it's a 400' drop and then gain, but the route as shown involves a quarter mile or so of giant-block talus that I really, really hated. It was one of those takes-an-enormous-amount-of-time-to-go-a-ridiculously-short-distance type deals. So I'm not sure the drop & gain would really be any worse, plus you'd get to see another lake into the bargain. Just food for thought.

[Shawn]

Hey Tom, thanks very much for the expertise and words of experience with the area. I do have enough time to be flexible and back-track as needed for safe travel. As it happens I've looked at the map so much that it' should look like an old familiar hike by the time I get there.

My inspiration started with some words by H. Voge in his book "A climbers guide to the high Sierra" (http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/climb ... anyon.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ). In it, he describes peaks of the Monarch Divide and says "The Tehipite Valley may be reached from Cedar Grove by crossing the Monarch Divide at Happy Gap and following down the east bank of Silver Creek. Thus I started looking at the descent to Tehipite but came to the realization how unlikely of a route it would be today. Instead, I'm looking forward to exploring the other areas.

[sierraholic]

I will be somewhat limited again this summer with a newborn at home. I hope to sneak away for a two night trip in Emigrant in the Big Lake area. Then hopefully, do another two nighter into Hoover/Yosemite from Virginia Lakes TH to Return Lake area. May try to do introduce the almost 5 year old to backpacking with a short trip out of Echo Lakes TH (via water taxi) to Ralston Lake. We will see! Other than that, a few car camping trips around Markleeville and Bridgeport. One day, I will have the time to hit the RoguePhotonic type trips! I can't stop reading all the reports and looking at the awesome pictures from some of you doing the SHR and other off trail locations. Just awesome! I have to live vicariously through your trips for a few more years!

[TehipiteTom]

I'm going to try something different this year. Having led a bunch of Sierra Club outings in the past, I'm going to go on one as a trip member (for the first time since 1991)--the leader is an old friend, of course. It's a great route, combining the first section of the High Route with Bench Lake and Arrow Creek basin. Should be an interesting experience, not having all the responsibility (or the control, for that matter)....

[Electra]

I am a bachelor w/o family for eight weeks (june & july) so I am hoping to get two good trips in, one in mid/late june and one in mid july. The June one will be the bigger of the two and I am sorting thru a number of options but seem to be fixating on a Black and White theme that can hopefully include both White Divide and Black Divide. Both are areas I have only marginally been around and explored so I am trying to come up with a solid week long route taking advantage of the long days and accounting for the pros and cons of snow and runoff. There are so many variables and trip variations regarding west or east side entry, various passes, basins to explore, etc.. that this has been a fun one to research.

[balance]

Whitney Portal to Crabtree Meadow, then up Wallace Creek to Tulainyo Lake. I've experienced Cheyne-Stokes occassionally at night. Hope I can sleep okay. If not, I'll watch the stars for a while.

[KathyW]

Cedar Grove to Grouse Lake / Goat Mountain via the Copper Creek Trail May 10/11 unless this storm closed the road down to Cedar Grove.

Overnight trip to Half Dome June 6-7

Overnight trip to Birch Lake / The Thumb June 20-21

Shadow Lake Trail to Lake Ediza and Mount Ritter - July 5-7

A couple of peaks in the Palisades from the west - August 5-9

I'd also like to do a short trip to Washington or Colorado over the summer and do a few other Sierra peaks like Camberlin, Newcomb, Seven Gables, Gemini.......

I also would love to go to the Trinity Alps.

I never even do half of what I want to; so we'll just see how it all goes.

[Wandering Daisy]

We went to Trinity Alps in late Fall - the fall colors were fabulous, no mosquitoes and few people except some hunters. Hope you get there- I think you will enjoy it. Some years Trinity Alps are still open after the high Sierra gets snow.

[cmon4day]

In July, I'm planning a 5 day starting out of Chiquito TH to middle Chain, layover on day two and see if I can't bag Gale and Sing Peaks. XC over to Lillian, day 4 XC over to upper Jackass, and day 5 out to Jackass TH.

[rlown]

In July, I'm planning a 5 day starting out of Chiquito TH to middle Chain, layover on day two and see if I can't bag Gale and Sing Peaks. XC over to Lillian, day 4 XC over to upper Jackass, and day 5 out to Jackass TH.

Nice trip.

Russ