McCabe Pass
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 5:38 pm
TITLE: McCabe Pass
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects upper 20 Lakes Basin and Upper McCabe Lake.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: Yosemite National Park. HST Map
ELEVATION: ~11k ft
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Dunderberg Peak, Ca
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Lots of people take this pass to get from Saddlebag Lake to the McCabes. I have never been there without seeing people make it much harder than it is. I think many people take the old mining road to the south end of Steelhead lake then work their way up to the east side of Cascade lake and then head north up to Secret Lake just below the saddle that is McCabe Pass. I much prefer to follow the road all the way to the North end of Steelhead Lake and follow it to the 3rd switchback before working my way up to the broad slope between Cascade Lake and Hidden Lake. But here is the real crux. Go to the sw corner of Secret lake and look for the ducks and follow them religiously! If you do so you will work your way to the top of the ridge and not have to use your hands at all. Pay attention to where you attain the ridge because it is hard to find that point on return. At the top you will turn right (n) to the saddle where there is an old bent up park boundary sign. At that point look for a user trail zigzagging down to the west before turning n. into a gulley that heads down to the broad saddle that separates the ne corner of upper McCabe with the broad valley to the sw of Shepherd Crest.
Most people tend to work their way farther s. than the ducked route. That is ok. But then they try to go down directly to the lake and that makes it much more difficult. Watched people take 2 hours of dicey down climbing and steep snow to make it down to the lake. Believe me it is much easier to head north until you get to the lowest point before the ridge rises to Shepard Crest before dropping down.
From the west just do the reverse. but if it is your first time finding the one easy route down to hidden lake can be difficult.
PHOTOS:
GENERAL OVERVIEW: Connects upper 20 Lakes Basin and Upper McCabe Lake.
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 2
LOCATION: Yosemite National Park. HST Map
ELEVATION: ~11k ft
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Dunderberg Peak, Ca
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Lots of people take this pass to get from Saddlebag Lake to the McCabes. I have never been there without seeing people make it much harder than it is. I think many people take the old mining road to the south end of Steelhead lake then work their way up to the east side of Cascade lake and then head north up to Secret Lake just below the saddle that is McCabe Pass. I much prefer to follow the road all the way to the North end of Steelhead Lake and follow it to the 3rd switchback before working my way up to the broad slope between Cascade Lake and Hidden Lake. But here is the real crux. Go to the sw corner of Secret lake and look for the ducks and follow them religiously! If you do so you will work your way to the top of the ridge and not have to use your hands at all. Pay attention to where you attain the ridge because it is hard to find that point on return. At the top you will turn right (n) to the saddle where there is an old bent up park boundary sign. At that point look for a user trail zigzagging down to the west before turning n. into a gulley that heads down to the broad saddle that separates the ne corner of upper McCabe with the broad valley to the sw of Shepherd Crest.
Most people tend to work their way farther s. than the ducked route. That is ok. But then they try to go down directly to the lake and that makes it much more difficult. Watched people take 2 hours of dicey down climbing and steep snow to make it down to the lake. Believe me it is much easier to head north until you get to the lowest point before the ridge rises to Shepard Crest before dropping down.
From the west just do the reverse. but if it is your first time finding the one easy route down to hidden lake can be difficult.
PHOTOS: