High Sierra Topix

Thanks all for the great replies!

I will continue to research and try to prepare myself. We have a few backup plans if we decide not to take the Col. First among those is looking to be an out-and-back into Evolution Valley from Florence Lake.

Thanks again, all!

Hubby and I hiked out from Darwin bench over Lamarck Col a few years ago (I know its the opposite direction from your planned route.) I thought I would reply and second what another poster said - it was strenuous for me. That being said, I was about 48 years old and have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I successfully made it over the Col from Darwin Lakes. Lots of big boulders to get around and it was tough! But I survived. I was sore for days afterwords!!!! Happy Trails

I went over Lamarck Col last year on July 12, and was able to stay on rock to the left of the snowfield all the way up. It did not seem strenuous or scary to me, but I was not carrying a backpack! There's a picture on my trip report here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13122&p=98461 .

tie wrote:There's a picture on my trip report here:

Thank you very much for your reply, and I've read your trip report with interest! Actually your picture of the ridge is the one that I go back to and think, "that ice field looks steep!" It's a relief to know that you avoided it altogether. Of course the snow field will probably be different this year.

Could you (or anyone else viewing) answer a question: Where on the ridge is the Col? I've found another post putting it at the green arrow, but I wish I could know for sure in advance. It's getting over or under that hump of rock between the two arrows that scares me. So, green arrow, or red arrow, or neither!?

The Col is the green arrow. Check out this page, it has pictures with routes drawn in: http://www.scaruffi.com/travel/evolut.html

tie wrote:Check out this page

Thank you. That is the trail description I saw but wanted to double check.

jawcar, I'm pretty sure the col is not the green arrow, nor is it the red arrow shown in the photo above. See my attached photo from late summer 2006 for the location of the route.

In answer to your question that started this thread: yes, by all means go for it -- your group should be up for the challenge. The route up to Lamarck Col from Upper Lamarck Lake is heavily used and there is a well defined trail most of the way. Once you locate the very good switchbacks that head up the shoulder SE of Upper Lamarck Lake and into the sandy slope of the cirque that terminates at the col, the route is easy to follow. To the left of the tarn below the snow field is a well defined rut in the snowfield. Follow it to the break in the ridge and you will see the sign marking the pass.

Mike

Mike has the correct area for Lamarck Col, though the red arrow is close too, the gps coordinates are 37.1904900, -118.6673300, you can see the passes location on the ridgeline compared to where the small lake is at the bottom of the screen shot taken on Google Earth.

Lamarck could use a profile in the Info Booth for anyone so inclined to do so.

I've done the loop you refer to. I agree with sssdave, 4 days is short time. Getting to Darwin Bench in one day is too much. Darwin bench is beautiful and an area you could explore for a full day. Evolution Canyon was beautiful, but I zoomed through it when i was there in July due to swarms of mosquitos. The hike from Evolution Canyon into Humphries basin was long and hard. Humphries basin is incredible with so much to see and explore. If you do this in 4 days you will be rushing.

I recommend hiking in over Piute Pass and exploring Evolution Basin. You could easily spend a week there. You could also do a much more manageable loop from there by going over the cross country pass Carol Col and over into French Canyon and then around Pilot Knob and back into Humphries Basin.

I'm sure you will enjoy whatever you decide!

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