High Sierra Topix

Gathering info on a couple of 'less popular' passes that we are planning on this summer.

What can folks tell me about Seven Gables Pass, and Darwin Col? I've gathered all I can from the HST Map, trip reports online, and Secor's book.

Seven Gables will likely be traveled S-N, but I can modify it if safety is a concern.

I would like to travel Darwin Col S-N, but that's not set in stone, either. I know Andy/Bluewater had traveled this, and did it N-S.

As always, I'm appreciative of all the advice on this website!

Two old guys (markskor and myself) did Seven Gables Pass s to n a few years ago early in the season of a dry year. The cornice on the n side was a bit intimidating to me. We traversed to the se across the top of the cornice to some steep slabs that we descended a bit before dropping into the gulley that leads ne from the pass. After a while we exited the gully to the n then zigzaged our way down to lake 10947.

oldranger,

That sounds familiar; I definitely read your description on the HST Map--thanks for posting that. I'm also planning this pass earlier in the season, winter dependent.

You avoided the cornice completely, right? And--if I recall correctly, you approached from Three Island Lake and the western flanks of Gemini. There looks like an approach route that could start directly east of Medley Lake. Any thoughts on this?

notis wrote:oldranger,

That sounds familiar; I definitely read your description on the HST Map--thanks for posting that. I'm also planning this pass earlier in the season, winter dependent.

You avoided the cornice completely, right? And--if I recall correctly, you approached from Three Island Lake and the western flanks of Gemini. There looks like an approach route that could start directly east of Medley Lake. Any thoughts on this?

Somebody else will have to comment on your proposed route as we never had a view into that drainage.

Here's a photo on the way down to Seven Gables Lakes from the pass: http://www.sierrahiker.com/BearLakes/bl04.jpg
For a trip report of a trip in the Bear Lakes area, go to: http://www.sierrahiker.com/BearLakes/index.html

Thank you sir! So it seems like you approached from Medley.

The lighting on those pics from the 80s is beautiful. It almost makes the Sierras look better...

A couple of friends and I did Seven Gables Pass in a relatively high snow fall year (2011) the first week in Sept. The cornice was present and we had to go around it. A relatively easy way down at that time was to the northeast, starting perhaps 50 yd or so from the cornice and continuing downslope at a NE angle.

We approached the pass from Three Island Lake (green line) since we camped there, but I recommend walking by there anyway ... just because.

Ska-T,

Thanks for taking the time to respond with pics and that drawing Also, thanks for the info on the cornice. Seems like that N/NE facing slope definitely gets its share of windsweep through there.