High Sierra Topix

I completed the entire SHR a few years ago, and I always wondered why Roper headed for a trail after Blue Lakes Pass, instead of heading into the basins to the north (Hutchings Creek, etc...). I am returning to do a segment of the SHR with my sons in August and I am looking for some advice on the route shown below. After Blue Lakes Pass, we'd traverse the flank of Foerster Peak before dropping into the Lyel Fork basin. We'd then head through Sluggo Pass into the Hutchings Creek Basin.

The climb out of Hutchings Creek basin and into the Lewis Creek basin (south of Simmons Peak) is the one that I can't find much information on. Can anyone provide some photos or information on what the route down into the Lewis creek is like?

Thanks!

I do not think there is a moderate route north of Hutchins Creek. Secor has the crossing of that divide as class 3, although his route goes farther east.

I did not like Slugo Pass. Depends on conditions, but if the gully is snow filled on the north side, you may have to go down steep mossy slabs which when wet are treacherous. The snow was pretty hard and I did not like the idea of doing it without an ice axe. But when I got to the slabs, they also were wet and slick. I hit snow-melt season. It was one of those passes that, once down, I swore I would not do it again! It may be perfectly fine later in the season.

You can cross the Lyell Fork and then work your way up slabs into Hutchins Creek. You would miss upper Lyell. You can also exit from Hutchins going north by angling towards the trail. It is simply a route-finding puzzle.

You could simply make Hutchins Basin and upper Lyell Fork two separate side-trips.