Re: TR: South Lake to North Lake to South Lake complete loop
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:06 pm
Hi KP
The route is not difficult from the JMT just stay away from the outlet stream on the way up and down because there are small cliffs and bush that can make thing slow going. Just head up towards the falls (outlet of Ladder in you pic), and yes you are correct, Ladder Lake is on the bench above the falls, and there is no lake under Ladder Lake.
You can either climb up the northern wall and come around to the northern side of Ladder Lake which was my route up, or climb up the narrow chute which will put you directly at the eastern shore of the lake which was the route that was take on my way back down.
The small lake just west of Ladder is very pretty, as is the route WD used from the north to get to Ladder, especially the narrow lake area.
The Citadel is well worth the climb, class 2, and has great views.
Also following WD's route back you can access Hester by climbing a rocky pass
which is quite easy to get to Hester.
The route is not difficult from the JMT just stay away from the outlet stream on the way up and down because there are small cliffs and bush that can make thing slow going. Just head up towards the falls (outlet of Ladder in you pic), and yes you are correct, Ladder Lake is on the bench above the falls, and there is no lake under Ladder Lake.
You can either climb up the northern wall and come around to the northern side of Ladder Lake which was my route up, or climb up the narrow chute which will put you directly at the eastern shore of the lake which was the route that was take on my way back down.
The small lake just west of Ladder is very pretty, as is the route WD used from the north to get to Ladder, especially the narrow lake area.
The Citadel is well worth the climb, class 2, and has great views.
Also following WD's route back you can access Hester by climbing a rocky pass
which is quite easy to get to Hester.