High Sierra Topix

72 miles in 6 days is very doable (12 mi/day), and further more, to appreciate the fantastic beauty of that region, doing it any faster would be a shame. You need to camp early enough so you can do some side trips up the various drainages toward the crest. I suggest camping at the bottom of passes, doing the pass early and get on down the trail. Be careful going down from Trail Crest at the end because though you will have become stronger and the pack is lighter, it is a long long way down with your knees getting pounded...

Thanks to all for your input. Continuing to study and read.

Taboose Pass is a tough one, but as was said before, all the passes like Taboose - those that start low and go high (i.e. Baxter, Shepherd, Sawmill, etc.) are relatively long and very hard.

But what they get you into is very worth it.