Keyhole Pass

Member descriptions, photos, and map locations of Cross Country Passes in the High Sierra. This forum is for information only - discussions should be kept in the appropriate categories.
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dubik99
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Keyhole Pass

Post by dubik99 »

TITLE: Keyhole Pass

GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads between the Muriel Lake in Humphreys Basin and Darwin Bench

CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2 with a short Class 3 section

LOCATION: SE of Muriel Peak. Bordering Kings Canyon National Park and the Mono Divide area. Sierra National Forest / John Muir Wilderness HST Map

ELEVATION: 12,526

USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Mt. Darwin

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Head SSE from Muriel Lake up into the Lost Lakes area. Stay on the East side of the slope leaving the South end of Muriel lake.
20140721+2004+N+to+S+Lake+001-3417420724-O_resize.jpg
This takes you to the lower of the Lost Lakes. Walk around its East side and head up the slope to the upper lakes. There is a use trail through the scree part on the South side of the lower lake.
20140722+0820+N+to+S+Lake+007-3417426637-O_resize.jpg
Make your way through the flat small talus area around the upper lakes to the South end of Lake 11911. The talus is not bad
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At the North end of Lake 11911 enjoy the view of the pass and pick your line. The ridge has multiple notches. Best I could tell several will work, but the proper Keyhole Pass with an actual hole is the rightmost (Northern) notch.
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The Keyhole is literally a hole:
20140722+1117+N+to+S+Lake+005-3417440998-O_resize.jpg
Below it is the short Class 3 section. It requires a short traverse on a small ledge with moderate handholds over a 10 ft drop
20140722+1142+N+to+S+Lake+033-3417447168-O_resize.jpg
Once on the left side (looking down) the climb down is straightforward with decent handholds
20140722+1145+N+to+S+Lake+016-3417448358-O_resize.jpg
20140722+1258+N+to+S+Lake+039-3417452532-O_resize.jpg
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Last edited by ERIC on Tue Feb 24, 2015 8:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Changed titles to bold text
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BradP
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Re: Keyhole Pass

Post by BradP »

Adding reference pictures to augment the original post which I found very helpful in assisting with route finding.
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